Mid-Season Shifts

What’s your plan when things don’t go according to plan?

We are in week five in the NFL, which means we are a quarter of the way through the regular season.  While some fans might be disappointed to find that their team has a bye week, others are pricing travel plans for Las Vegas—the host city for Super Bowl LVIII because their team seems invincible. 

Those teams who have found early success may consider their performance confirmation of effective preparation during the off-season conditioning and preseason training. Some teams are entering week 5 in a position that is different from where they hoped to be at this point in the season.  As the season progresses, the decision must be made to either continue executing the current plan or give some consideration to when and how to pivot.  In sports, business, and life, there is often a battle between the fear of pivoting too soon and the belief in the sunk-cost fallacy—we’ve committed too much in one direction to turn back now.

This decision-making process is not limited to the coaches, front-office staff, or team owners—it also includes the players. 

Each week of the NFL season includes an updated list of inactive players, many of whom are inactive for injury-related reasons. While there is a general understanding that football comes with the risk of injury, players prepare for the season with the plan of playing every Sunday.  Sustaining an injury can be one of the greatest challenges a player can experience. 

There is a lot of variability in how teams support injured players.  They all have the necessary resources to help players heal physically, but those resources must go beyond the physical.  Research suggests that injured athletes are at a higher risk of depression and isolation, and this is even more common for professional athletes. Effectively managing one’s time on Injured Reserve requires a significant pivot of mindset, focus, and attitude. One way that the NFLPA helps injured players make that pivot is through their PAIR (Players Association Injured Reserve) program.  This program is designed to provide support, teach skills, and encourage players to make the best use of their unplanned time off.

While no player plans to get injured and no team prepares to enter week 5 winless, the reality is it happens.  When it does, there is a need to be able to adapt and adjust, and if necessary, create and implement a backup plan.  Having a backup plan does not mean a lack of commitment or belief in the first plan.  It simply means that you’re prepared and have a plan even when things don’t go according to plan.

Remember, of a team’s current record, there is a lot of football that has yet to be played. If you are a player who is on Injured Reserve and you find yourself overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety, depression, and/or isolation, know that there are resources available to assist.

Best of luck with the rest of the season.