Herm Edwards has never been one to mince words, and his latest tirade is aimed squarely at NFL stars who treat preseason games like optional scrimmages. The former linebacker and head coach didn't hold back when asked about the growing trend of marquee players sitting out exhibition contests, making it clear he thinks it's a dereliction of duty.
"Last time I checked, you know what football players do? They play football. They play football. That's what you do," Edwards said on the You Better You Bet radio show. "You signed on to play football. And when the offseason comes, you don't play football. You've got almost five, six months, you don't play any football. But when it's time to go practice and play football, that's what you signed on to do. You need to go do that. I say that as a guy that played football at that level."
Edwards, who suited up for 10 seasons in the NFL, took personal pride in never missing a practice or game during his career. He contrasted that with today's stars who show up to preseason games in street clothes, or as he put it, "wearing your baseball hat."
"Football practice, I'm going to practice football. When the games starts, I'm going to play in the game. This is football. That's what you do! You don't wear your baseball hat and say, 'Hey man, I'll wait for the regular season and then I'll play.' What are you talking about? You signed on to play football," Edwards added.
The fiery coach also reminded players that an NFL career is far from guaranteed. He stressed that every snap could be a player's last, and that's all the more reason to embrace every opportunity to compete.
"Football is not a career. That's what these guys don't understand," Edwards said. "It's not a career. You can't say, 'I'm going to play 10 years.' You're day to day as a football player. Day to day."
Edwards' passion is undeniable, but his stance puts him at odds with a league that has increasingly prioritized player safety and long-term health. Teams have grown wary of exposing their most valuable assets to unnecessary risk in games that don't count. The sight of a star player crumpling to the turf in a meaningless August contest is a nightmare scenario for any franchise.
Still, Edwards isn't alone in his frustration. Coaches and veterans from past eras often echo his sentiment, arguing that preseason reps are vital for timing, chemistry, and building a winning culture. But with the regular season expanding and the physical toll of the sport under constant scrutiny, the calculus has shifted.
Recent history offers plenty of cautionary tales. Just this preseason, Deshaun Watson's rough outing drew mockery, while backup quarterback battles have highlighted the risks of overexposure. Even the weather can derail these games, underscoring how unpredictable and low-stakes they can feel.
For every argument Edwards makes, there's a counterpoint rooted in modern reality. The NFL is a year-round business, and players are more educated than ever about managing their bodies. But Edwards' core message—that players should honor the game they're paid to play—resonates with a generation of fans who remember when stars actually suited up in August.
Whether his words change any minds remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: Herm Edwards isn't about to start wearing a baseball hat anytime soon.
