It is not surprising that the NFL is a business first and a sport second, and each team will undoubtedly prioritize long-term success.
Furthermore, the league and teams frequently choose what benefits them, regardless of a player’s fame or contributions.
The fans also think that winning in the NFL takes precedence over loyalty, and it is not just about touchdowns and titles.
We have witnessed teams making brutal choices to remain competitive and forcing future Hall of Famers out, demonstrating some heartless actions over the years.
Given that the NFL is a billion-dollar company, it is clear that they take their business seriously.
The NFL’s Coldest Business Moves that Stunned the Fans
The most brutal, contentious, or startling choices made by NFL teams, owners, or the league itself are called “The NFL’s Coldest Business Moves.“
Cutting or trading cherished players to save money or rebuild must be one of the NFL’s most contentious decisions.
Another reason must be franchise relocations, which frequently cause fans to be devastated when teams move to new cities for financial reasons.
This list of the NFL’s coldest business moves highlights the league’s commercial side and reminds us that it is more than just a sport.
Tom Brady’s Departure from the Patriots
Currently a sports broadcaster, Tom Brady was a professional football quarterback for 23 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).
From 2001 to 2019, he was a key member of the New England Patriots dynasty, spending his first 20 seasons with the team.
However, after 20 seasons and six Super Bowl victories, the New England Patriots shocked fans by allowing Tom Brady to leave in free agency in 2020.
Unfortunately, despite his desire to stay, the team let him go and declined to offer him a long-term contract.
The Patriots’ decision to let go of the greatest player in their history must rank among their coldest decisions.
He spent his final three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his first-season Super Bowl victory proved that New England was wrong.
In addition, many people believe that Brady is the best quarterback of all time.
Later, in 2024, Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, acknowledged that the team had made a grave error in 2020 by allowing Brady to leave.
The Colts Cut Peyton Manning
Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning spent eighteen seasons as a National Football League (NFL) member.
He was known as “the Sheriff” and played for the Denver Broncos for four seasons and the Indianapolis Colts for fourteen teams.
As everyone knows, it is not pleasant to leave a club you have spent years with, and this is also what occurred here.
Despite being the Colts’ face and four-time MVP, Manning was cut after suffering a neck injury in 2012, and Andrew Luck took his place.
While Manning went on to win another Super Bowl with the Broncos, Luck, despite being great, retired early.
Fans feel that the Colts abandoned Manning too soon, and in remembering, Luck’s brief career made the decision appear even worse.
The Rams Depart for Los Angeles From St. Louis
The St. Louis Rams were an NFL (National Football League) professional American football team.
From 1995 until the 2015 season, the Rams played in St. Louis, Missouri; however, they left the city, leaving its supporters devastated and resulting in lawsuits.
Despite their pledge to stay, the team moved back to Los Angeles, California, where they had played from 1946 to 1994, to pursue the larger L.A. market.
St. Louis lost its team, and legal battles revealed that the NFL had misled the city about the move.
The St. Louis Regional Convention, Sports Authority, City, and County sued the NFL.
The parties and the NFL reached a historic settlement agreement in November 2021.
According to a joint statement released, the NFL and Rams owner Stan Kroenke paid $790 million to resolve a lawsuit brought by St. Louis interests regarding the team’s move.
Additionally, the team is now called the Los Angeles Rams.
Additional Information
- Tom Brady retired after the 2022 NFL season as the league’s most decorated player.
- With a total valuation of more than $150 billion among its 32 franchises, the NFL remains one of the most profitable sports leagues in the world.
- The Cowboys, who are worth $10.1 billion, have been the most valued team in the league since 2007.
