The actual games now are just seem like a smaller part on the NFL now.
Hours and hours are devoted to pre-game, post-game, shows all week, NFL-ESPN Radio shows all week that need info to feed the hours. So it turns the NFL into a "Soap-opera" that needs content. Shows like Skip Bayless, Steven A. need content. So they have to focus on more than the games. They need to report on disgruntled WRs who want more catches. QBs who need more weapons, players who want to be traded, head coaches under fire, now Taylor Swift is part of the KC games. Every big play showing Swift. NFL loves that "Love Story" If they break up they will blame Swift if Kelce has a bad game.
I saw a blurb that said "Mahomes meets Taylor Swift, say she is really cool"
The pre and post game has evolved into cookie-cutter shows. Get a bunch of interchangeable ex-players and coaches and throw in a good looking female to ask them questions. All the game have female sideline reporters now.
That is the NFL package now. As ratings show it is working.
I haven't watched any NFL coverage besides actual games for years now.
I don't hate myself enough to watch Skip Bayless. I'd chew on a cyanide capsule well before reaching that point.
YouTube has better content creators than anybody employed by ESPN. If you want people who are knowledgeable about football and who can walk you through Xs and Os, they're on YouTube, not any of the networks. If you want people who are funny, they're on YouTube (and here), not on any of the networks. We can lament how bad the network coverage of the NFL is these days, but it's better to be happy about the fact that you can ignore them entirely and not miss out on anything.