Why are NFL TV ratings on the decline?

I wrote about the NFL's ratings decline in the Monday paper and received a lot of responses.

A few people said the protests during the national anthem are the reason. I disagree.

A lot of people have said that the decline in quarterback play or the star power of the position isn't the reason for the decline — that it's the quality of the programming.

Too many officiating mistakes. Too many replay reviews. Too many commercials. Too many ugly hits that we now know lead directly to concussions that can ruin lives. Too many unappealing games in prime time.

It's probably a combination of all of the above.

Of course, with an undefeated and generally likable team in town, this is probably not the best market to test theories about fan viewership, but I do think the NFL is facing serious issues with its brand.

JIM SOUHAN