I don’t like the opting out either — and respect those that don’t, but I fully understand it and feel no I’ll will towards those that do. I think the changes we’re seeing to the sport — players entering the portal before bowl games and the opt outs — mean fans will have to start thinking of bowl games differently. Unless your team is in the playoffs (or possibly in the top tier bowls), bowl games are essentially now exhibitions and opportunities for player development for the next year. Not saying I like it, but that is becoming the new reality.
So if you know you’re leaving, have a chance to be drafted and a chance to play in play in a showcase “all-star” game, I understand why you would opt out. You eliminate the chance of getting hurt in the bowl game. Yes, you could be hurt in the Senior Bowl or whatever, but the opportunity to better your draft ranking out weighs the risk. It happens, but far fewer players improve their draft ranking because of a bowl game. By all accounts Sydney Brown has “made money” by his performance this week. So has Chase probably, but to a lesser degree. If you know the Browns’ back story, it is especially understandable why they would try to minimize risk and maximize opportunity this close to achieving their goal and obtaining a payday that will greatly impact their family.
