The news of a tight end entering the transfer portal, even one as talented as Dae’Quan Wright, normally would not have caused a ripple in the news cycle.
It feels as if every player enters the portal every year.
But this is different.
Wright is a member of the Cleveland Browns. He was awarded another season of college eligibility as part of a court case in Louisiana on Thursday and almost immediately put his name in the portal.
Then he was in uniform on Saturday and took warmups with the Browns ahead of their preseason game against the Bills, though he did not play.
It was a situation best summed up by Cleveland coach Todd Monken after the game.
“Man, isn’t this (expletive) crazy?” Monken said in response to a question about Wright.
Yes, it is.
But it’s also not the worst idea for players on the fringe of NFL rosters, hoping to catch on after likely being released next week.
They are looking at the potential of making $247,500 for a full season on the practice squad but are probably worth significantly more at a high-major program in the new world of NIL.
And that’s if they make a practice squad and hang on all year.
It’s why Wright is not alone. Several players on NFL rosters have followed him into the portal over the past few days and likely could return to play college football next season.
The Louisiana judge, William Jorden, declared a 10-day transfer portal for newly eligible players. That will run up until just about the time NFL teams are making roster decisions to cut down to 53 players.
Most of those hitting the portal from NFL training camps aren’t likely to make the cut, which is why they are open to exploring alternatives.
But there will be those who will have to decide between an NIL package and an NFL practice squad offer after already having gone through an NFL training camp.
The money will be there. These are high-level athletes who can be added to the rosters of teams likely chasing a College Football Playoff bids.
Coaches have watched practices throughout the spring and fall and know the kind of impact players they need on their rosters.
They will find a way to get it done.
Oh, and if that isn’t enough potential chaos entering the college football season, several cases still are pending. A large group of players don’t know if they will be able to play, and some don’t know where they will play if they are eligible.
It’s another example of why finding a way to create some set of standardized rules is going to be so important.
That won’t be easy. The toothpaste is out of the tube. Players are going to want to retain not only the earning opportunities but also the flexibility that this lawless Purge-like era of college sports has created.
And they should have a say. Far too many of the proposals and commissions have left out their voices.
The players won’t get everything they want, but they need to be at the table for what promises to be a difficult process.
But one thing we are getting is a look at some of the things that might not have been considered but should be easy to solve.
Let’s not allow NFL players to go back to college. I’m usually as pro-player as it gets, but this might be a bridge too far. It’s fine for the current situation because there are no rules, so they should be able to do what they want.
But let’s put that down as one of the first topics on the agenda to get passed into the new bylaws.
After that, good luck.
The horse is out of the barn on a lot of these issues.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
