The Illusion of Integrity: What the NFL Doesn’t Want You to See


It’s that time of year again, football season. High school lights are flickering, college rivalries are heating up, and the NFL is back to dominate screens, headlines, and barbershop debates. For many men and now women, this is the season of passion, pride, and prediction. From fantasy leagues to betting odds, fans are all in. But beneath the roar of the crowd and the glitter of primetime matchups lies a truth that’s harder to swallow: the NFL isn’t just a sport. It’s a production. And its integrity is on trial.


NFL Entertainment LLC: The Fine Print That Says It All

Before kickoff, before the anthem, before the first snap—look closely. The NFL logo doesn’t just represent a league. It represents a brand: NFL Entertainment LLC. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a declaration. Like WWE, the NFL is a scripted spectacle where narratives are curated, stars are manufactured, and outcomes are influenced—not always by talent, but by agenda.


Jalen Hurts and the Bias of Broadcast

Let’s talk about last year’s Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts didn’t just show up—they dominated. They dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. Yet, the media spin was relentless. ESPN analysts and FS1 commentators downplayed Hurts’ performance, calling him a “system quarterback.” But here’s the truth: every quarterback is a system quarterback. The difference? Hurts has had three offensive coordinators in three years and still made it to two Super Bowls—winning one, losing one—both against the so-called dynasty in Kansas City.

Meanwhile, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow are praised endlessly despite lacking championship hardware. Allen has never been to a Super Bowl. Herbert has one playoff appearance in eight seasons. Jackson and Burrow have MVPs and stats, but no rings. Hurts? He’s 4-for-5 in playoff appearances and has proven he can carry a team when it matters most. Yet, he’s paid less and respected less. Why?


The Double Standard of Greatness

Let’s be real. The NFL has a history of rewriting the definition of greatness to fit its preferred narrative. Jim Kelly never won a Super Bowl but made it to Canton. Tom Brady was caught deflating footballs and still crowned the GOAT. Bill Belichick filmed opposing teams’ practices and stole signals—but was never banned. Meanwhile, other coaches and players are penalized for far less.

The hypocrisy is staggering. Belichick’s assistant was fired for cheating, rehired, then rewarded with another head coaching job—only to fail again. Jim Harbaugh, now the highest-paid coach in NFL history, left Michigan under a cloud of scandal and a looming 10-year penalty. Yet, he faces no consequences. Integrity? Where?


Suggestions for the Conscious Fan

If you’re tired of the manipulation, the bias, and the selective accountability, here’s how you can reclaim your power as a fan:

  • Watch with discernment: Don’t just consume the broadcast—question it. Who’s being elevated? Who’s being erased?
  • Support independent sports media: Seek out voices that tell the full story, not just the league-approved version.
  • Celebrate players for impact, not just image: Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, and others who show up in big moments deserve more than stats—they deserve respect.
  • Hold networks accountable: Demand balanced coverage. Call out bias. Share your voice.
  • Remember: it’s entertainment: The NFL is a business. Don’t confuse production with purity.

Final Word: The Game Behind the Game

Football is supposed to be about competition, grit, and glory. But when cheating is rewarded, truth is twisted, and narratives are bought and sold, we must ask: what are we really watching?

The NFL may be the biggest stage in sports, but it’s also one of the most manipulated. Until integrity becomes more than a slogan, fans must be the ones to demand better. Because if we don’t, the game we love will become just another scripted show—and the players, pawns in a billion-dollar performance.


Why are the critics not getting it right when it comes to Jalen Hurts

Career Wins and Postseason Wins

QuarterbackRegular Season WinsPostseason Wins
Jalen Hurts456
Lamar Jackson522
Joe Burrow384
Josh Allen485
Justin Herbert352

Starts

QuarterbackRegular Season StartsPostseason Starts
Jalen Hurts606
Lamar Jackson683
Joe Burrow504
Josh Allen645
Justin Herbert492

Passing Efficiency (Passer Rating)

QuarterbackCareer Passer Rating
Jalen Hurts98.5
Lamar Jackson98.1
Joe Burrow100.2
Josh Allen97.5
Justin Herbert98.8

Super Bowl Appearances and Wins

QuarterbackSuper Bowl AppearancesSuper Bowl Wins
Jalen Hurts21
Lamar Jackson00
Joe Burrow10
Josh Allen00
Justin Herbert00

Contract Details

QuarterbackContract YearContract Value
Jalen Hurts2023$255 million
Lamar Jackson2023$260 million
Joe Burrow2023$275 million
Josh Allen2022$258 million
Justin Herbert2023 through 2029$262.5 million

Conclusion

When analysts and commentators speak of Quarterbacks in the NFL they usually mention Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert as the class of the position behind Patrick Mahomes. It is clear that when the critics speak of Jalen Hurts they always mention potential but not good enough. The Eagles in 2023 new what they had and made him the highest paid QB in the league because they new he was a winner. The critics could do nothing short of say the Eagles can do better than Hurts and that he was holding the team back. As soon as he signed this contract the Baltimore Ravens then issued Lamar Jackson his record deal making him the highest paid Quarterback in the league to show they wanted Lamar Jackson and they felt comfortable with him as the face of the Franchise It was then the Kansas City Chiefs stepped in and renegotiated a part of Patrick Mahomes deal and made him the highest paid Quarterback again in the league. Then Justin Herbert got a new deal with the Chargers that put him in the top 3 in salary. Then later Joe Burrow set the world on fire and got a deal that put him second to none. Now out this group Mahomes, Hurts and Burrow are the only 3 to go to Super Bowls. Mahomes with 5 appearances, Hurts with 2 and Burrow with one. Only Mahomes and Hurts have won Lombardi Trophies. It is clear that Hurts and Mahomes are the top shelf QBs to trust with the money when the game is on the line. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert have playoff games under their belts but can not breakthrough when the game is on the line. They have not proven that they can take their teams to fight and win the Big Games. Burrow had a chance but fizzled out but these three QBs continue to get the rave reviews but can not win. It is clear that the regular season is all you are going to get from these guys and no Championship. Burrow has proven he is one and done but just like the others get the highlights but no championship. These guys are horribly over paid. On the other hand Hurts and Mahomes have proven they can get it done and will continue to rise like Cream in Coffee when they need to make things happen for their teams. Hurts having to face Mahomes twice in the Super Bowl and is 1-1 but he has outplayed him both times only to always get the “Just not good enough”. When reading these numbers and this is what the analyst and commentators like to use they clearly are missing the mark when it comes to Hurts. Lets change this and speak facts instead of who we like and who we dont like.

While all these quarterbacks have impressive careers, Jalen Hurts stands out for several reasons:

  1. Super Bowl Success: Hurts has already led his team to two Super Bowl appearances and won one, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
  2. Postseason Wins: With 6 postseason wins, Hurts has shown consistency in the playoffs, more than Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert.
  3. Contract Value: Hurts’ contract value is competitive, reflecting his value to his team.
  4. Passer Rating: Although his passer rating is slightly lower than Joe Burrow’s, Hurts’ overall impact on the game, including his rushing ability, makes him a more versatile threat.

In conclusion, Jalen Hurts’ combination of Super Bowl success, postseason wins, and overall impact on the game makes him the better quarterback among the group.

Do you agree with this assessment, or do you have a different perspective?