What If NFL teams could move cities anytime?

 

(EDITOR'S NOTE: View From The Pugh is a podcast/journalism project from Chris Pugh. Connect with him here).

Picture this: your favorite NFL team loses a few seasons, attendance drops—and boom, they’re packing up for another city overnight. What would the NFL look like if teams could move freely without the long, expensive relocation processes we’re used to?

Cities like San Antonio, Portland, and even Toronto would instantly become top landing spots. Teams with smaller or struggling fanbases, like the Jaguars or Chargers, might be among the first to bolt. Meanwhile, loyal fans would be devastated, watching decades of history disappear in an instant.

Financially, constant moves could wreak havoc on local economies and create instability across the league. Sure, some cities might thrive with a new team, but others would be left empty-handed and bitter.

Even the NFL’s carefully crafted divisions would be in chaos. Imagine the Cowboys suddenly moving to San Diego or the Bears relocating to Oklahoma City—it would totally upend traditional rivalries and traditions.

While free-moving teams sound exciting on paper, the true cost to fans, communities, and the league’s identity would be massive. Some things, it turns out, are better left stable.