The NFL has a problem on the horizon

The NFL has a problem on the horizon.

In the moment, it might not feel like it. But much like the tip of an iceberg, it’s there if you look down.

Here in Philadelphia, the tentacles of the story will reverberate if second-round pick Andrew Mukuba remains unsigned when training camp opens next week.

As reported by NFL Network, 30 of 32 second round picks are not signed yet. The likely reason: Money or (perhaps more accurately) guaranteed money in their respective four-year rookie contracts.

Here’s my theory on why this is happening and what’s next for the NFL.

Simply put: College football’s NIL is rearing its (ugly) head on the NFL. Considering how much money college plays are earning, why would they accept either less money to play in the NFL or contracts without satisfactory guarantees? It’s fair to assume many of the unsigned second rounders already have a substantial amount of money in the bank from college. They are emboldened and secure. The incentive to just accept what the NFL rookie wage scale says they have to is disappearing.

I think this will only get worse. Which means the NFL will soon have to adjust the CBA to raise the rookie wage scale. If it doesn’t? What’s stopping prospects from staying in school longer to make more guaranteed money there? The NFL can’t remain the top football league on the planet without the top talent consistently entering its league.

We’ll be locked into Mukuba’s case, as the defensive back from Texas could be poised for a large role as a rookie. But watch how this goes around the league. It’s not nothing, and it’s probably the start of something big.

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