NFL fans have been all too often disappointed when they turn on the prime-time game and are treated with a dud of a match-up that puts people to sleep before halftime better than night-time Sudafed, whether it be on Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, or Monday Night Football.
When the NFL schedule turned to Week 10 and football fans peeked to see what game was on the horizon for Thursday night, many were disgusted to see the Carolina Panthers facing off with the Chicago Bears. Bryce Young vs. Tyson Bagent — where do I sign up?
Fans began to ponder whether there was anything the NFL could do. Commissioner Roger Goodell has flexed his muscles before to flex games in and out of prime-time slots. Wouldn’t this be a case where the NFL could protect the shield by putting its best product on the field?
Can the NFL Flex Out the Carolina Panthers-Chicago Bears Game?
Naturally, the average NFL fan wants to be treated to the best action the NFL slate can offer. Carolina vs. Chicago is a game between two teams lost at sea. So why not switch games? Although we have seen it in the past, it is rarer than NFL fans would like to believe.
MORE: How Many Times Can a Team Play in Prime Time?
On average, the NFL flexes out games, shifting its schedule, fewer than twice a year. The NFL reserves the right to move games later during the season when the importance of divisional races and playoff bids are more well-known. As bad as Carolina and Chicago are, would it make more sense to flex a game with more importance later in the year than right now?
For now, NFL fans will have to grin and bear it. The action won’t be scintillating, but there are storylines to discuss.
Is Chicago at a QB Crossroads?
The Panthers mortgaged their future to trade up to select Alabama Crimson Tide QB Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Panthers front office had to expect a rebuilding season, but 2023 has been beyond repair, and Carolina could be picking first overall again in 2024.
Oops — never mind. As part of the trade to select Young, the Panthers shipped their 2024 first-round selection to, guess who, their Thursday Night Football opponents: the Chicago Bears. The Bears have some options and tough decisions regarding QB Justin Fields, who may miss action again this week.
Is Fields the answer for the Bears under center? The polarizing question has become more relevant as Fields has missed recent starts, and the offense, in some regards, has moved better without the dynamic athlete under center. To keep the former Ohio State great in Chicago, the Bears will have to sign him to an extension sooner rather than later.
Are the Bears willing to pay Fields franchise-QB money when there remains so much uncertainty surrounding his future? What if Chicago lands the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft via the Carolina Panthers? How can Chicago pass on dynamic Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams?
If Carolina continues to torpedo, the Panthers could gift-wrap the top overall pick in the draft to Chicago. The Bears can help their cause Thursday Night with a victory.
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