The NFL wants to take over Christmas Day
The NFL will challenge the NBA for viewing supremacy with three games on Christmas Day later this year on December 25.
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty ImagesOn a holiday that has been traditionally dominated by a five-game NBA slate, football will have a greater presence on the sports menu on Christmas Day this year. The NFL will play three games on Dec. 25 according to reports.
The NFL looks to take in boosted ratings after the Christmas games in 2021 between Green Bay and Cleveland in addition to Arizona and Indianapolis.
The scheduling comes with a challenge to the basketball world on the day that the NBA usually takes center stage. The tradition of NBA games on Christmas dates back all the way to 1947. For the first time in 2022, basketball will face legitimate competition this year with three NFL games throughout the day.
The NFL schedule comes out in mid-May and will reveal which six teams will take the field on Christmas Day.
With the combined greatness of quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots dominated the National Football League for two decades. Here's a photo retrospective of the pair during the Pats' run of six Super Bowl championships in 20 seasons together.
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12, team owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl Opening Night at Minute Maid Park
Bob Levey/Getty ImagesHOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 30: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 stand onstage during Super Bowl 51 Opening Night at Minute Maid Park on January 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys v New England Patriots
Adam Glanzman/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys v New England Patriots
Kathryn Riley/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesHead coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 celebrate after winning 34-28 over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Washington Nationals v Boston Red Sox
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws the first pitch before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals as New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from left at Fenway Park on April 13, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Indianapolis Colts
Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesINDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots congratulate each other after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Patriots defeated the Colts 34-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Send-Off Rally
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MA - JANUARY 26: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick embraces Patriots owner Robert Kraft while quarterback Tom Brady, left, looks on during the New England Patriots Send-Off Rally at City Hall Plaza on January 26, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Superbowl XLIX on Sunday. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots
Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesFOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Bill Belichick talks with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Divisional Round - Tennessee Titans v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts as Tom Brady #12 looks on before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots in discussion in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick in the second quarter during the NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 30, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
Divisional Playoffs - Houston Texans v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field with head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots prior to playing against the Houston Texans during the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots converses with head coach Bill Belichick during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick look on during warm ups before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots after the Patriots defeat the Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Throughout the offseason, Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon has been no stranger to checking in on some of the NFL’s biggest stars to sway them to Foxboro through Twitter.
After rumors swirled of Deebo Samuel requesting a trade out of San Francisco, Judon even floated the idea of taking a pay cut to bring the fourth-year wide receiver to New England and sign a new deal.
After Judon pitched the idea, Miguel Benzan tweeted an avenue for such a plan to work. If the Patriots could acquire Samuel, converting Judon’s 2022 salary to signing bonus money could open the financial door to extend the playmaker.
Judon reposted the tweet from Benzan on his Instagram and doubled down on his desire for Samuel to join the Patriots.
Samuel enters 2022 in the final year of his rookie contract and looks for a deal to get the financial commitment from a team as one of the league’s top receivers.
Judon is yet to reel in a big-name player through his social media efforts, but his consistency does continuously draw intrigue.
