1. Obliviousness
The first week after the Super Bowl is bittersweet, but mainly bitter. Nearly all NFL fans flock to social media or spend their work breaks discussing the highlights and/or slip-ups of the big game. No one truly notices the absence of football until they realize there is nothing to watch the following Sunday.
2. Emptiness
Without football season, Sunday suddenly feels so empty. Monday and Thursday nights seem to be meaningless. What do casual or non-football fans do during these times?
3. Boredom
Unless you're big into college football, the NFL Scouting Combine is not all that interesting. Yet, each and every year the combine sneaks its way onto your calendar because it is the closest football-related event there's been in weeks. Besides, watching your favorite college players and potential prospects for your favorite team is not a bad way to pass the time.
4. Frustration
Luckily not too far into the offseason is the beginning of free agency, which leaves you left to wonder: How is it only March? A month without football feels like ages. Yet us obsessive NFL fans are left discussing restricted free agents, cap space, contract negotiations, offer sheets, and the like.
5. Excitement
It's the little things. The NFL schedule release is basically a second Christmas to avid NFL fans. Along with the schedule release comes record predictions, division winner predictions, and, of course, far too early Super Bowl predictions.
6. Craziness
Feeling delusional at this point? You're not alone. The middle of summer likely has you feeling lost and left to suffer through "The Countdown Phase." How many days until the draft? Training camp? Preseason? Season opener? Let me tell you...
7. More Excitement
THE DRAFT IS FINALLY HERE. Once again, it's difficult to watch the draft if you don't follow college football too closely. Yet, if you're desperate enough for football you may find yourself researching the top draft prospects and analyzing film from their college days. Regardless of the amount of knowledge you have regarding the draft, it's nearly impossible not to get hyped up for the NFL season as your favorite team works to improve their team with numerous ambitious and athletic draft picks.
8. Desperation
At some point in the offseason you'll finally accept that you cannot make football season come faster no matter how hard you try. In an effort to fill this empty void you may find yourself searching for a new hobby to take up your time. Otherwise, the conclusion of the NBA season or the midpoint of the MLB season are both great remedies to support football withdrawals. Otherwise, watching an unhealthy amount of SportsCenter hoping to catch a glimpse of some sort of football is always worth a shot.
9. Loneliness
Apparently not all of your family members care about how many days away your favorite teams' opener is or who your team drafted in the seventh round of the draft. You don't need this negativity in your life. Find someone who will tolerate you and your significant amount of insignificant knowledge and you two can endure isolation together.
10. Annoyance
The season is so close, yet so far away. As training camp begins and you do your best to follow the up-and-coming players and how the starters are improving, the repetition can become somewhat annoying. You might even find yourself asking, "How many more training camp videos and blog posts can I watch and read before reaching insanity?"
11. Anticipation
Typically the Hall of Game is the first true event marking the beginning of the NFL season, but outside of this year of course . Instead, NFL fans are left to settle for the preseason. The preseason is the definition of a paradox. On one hand, it is exciting to watch players fight to make the team and pray that you may see the starters take a few snaps. On the other hand, however, these games are essentially meaningless, but hey I won't complain...
12. Relief
As the preseason comes to a close and the numbers are dwindling down on your countdown to football, it finally dawns on you... THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE. Realizing you no longer have to worry about fulfilling your lazy Sundays with aimless hobbies and you can resume trash talking other enthusiastic fans is truly relieving. So relax football fans, you've made it through another offseason. Now go put on your favorite jersey and enjoy football for the next seven months.
