Is the NFL Combine Losing Its Luster? Chris Simms Questions Its Future

As Indianapolis hosts the 2026 NFL Draft Combine, discussions are heating up about the event’s role in evaluating prospective talent. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and current NBC analyst Chris Simms sparked a debate on his Unbuttoned about whether the Combine is at risk of becoming less impactful if the top-tier prospects increasingly skip it.

Traditionally, the Combine has been a cornerstone of the pre-draft process, offering teams precise metrics on speed, agility, strength, and positional skills while providing fans and media a glimpse at the next generation of NFL stars. Its influence extends beyond measurable drills, with interviews, medical evaluations, and psychological testing playing a critical role in shaping team decisions.

Simms’ argument is straightforward: if elite prospects continue to opt out, the Combine’s value as a comprehensive evaluation tool could decline. “It does feel like we’re getting to a point here where none of the top players are ever going to work out anymore,” Simms said. He highlighted a broader concern — without star talent, media interest and fan engagement may drop, and even team personnel might begin questioning the event’s relevance.

The 2026 class is already seeing many top prospects forgoing the physical drills, fueling debate about whether the Combine is evolving or simply being bypassed. While the interviews and behind-the-scenes evaluations still hold weight, the spectacle component — once a central draw — risks becoming secondary if marquee athletes don’t participate.

1. Changing Attitudes Among Top Prospects

Historically, the Combine has served as a proving ground, giving athletes a chance to validate their college performance against peers under standardized conditions. Top draft prospects often leveraged strong showings to boost their draft stock, while teams relied on the event to compare metrics directly. Increasingly, however, elite prospects are reassessing the risk-reward balance. Concerns over injury, fatigue, or simply unnecessary exposure have led many to skip on-field drills entirely, opting to submit private workout results or perform at pro days closer to home. This shift is particularly noticeable in 2026, where several projected first-round picks chose not to run timed drills or participate in certain exercises. Simms raised a critical point: if top prospects aren’t present, teams may begin questioning the Combine’s significance. “Coaches and GMs, are they even going to show up anymore?” he said, emphasizing that the event’s energy and visibility depend heavily on the presence of elite talent. Without it, what was once a centerpiece of draft evaluation could feel diminished. This trend reflects broader changes in player management. Agents and organizations are increasingly cautious about overexposing clients before their rookie contracts, recognizing that a single misstep on timing, jumps, or route drills can dominate headlines and influence draft positioning.

2. The Role of Coaches and Executives

While players’ attendance is central, the Combine’s value also stems from access to decision-makers. Team executives, coaches, and scouts conduct in-person interviews, assess mental and emotional readiness, and observe interactions beyond the field. This qualitative data often proves as critical as 40-yard dash times or vertical jumps. Simms noted that without top-tier prospects, some GMs and coaches may scale back their engagement. “It is a little bit of a weird thing going on right now with the NFL Combine,” he said, referencing the dual challenge of missing players and a potentially reduced audience. However, as of 2026, most of the league’s leadership continues to attend. Even when star athletes sit out drills, executives often remain for interviews, medical assessments, and positional meetings. Their presence ensures that the Combine retains a measure of influence, even if the spectacle element diminishes. Yet the optics matter. Television coverage, media reporting, and fan attention all thrive on seeing high-profile prospects compete. If that element fades, the Combine risks being perceived as a showcase primarily for mid-round or fringe prospects, which could influence sponsorships, coverage, and future attendance.

3. A Possible Evolution, Not an End

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Even if the Combine’s format changes, it may not vanish entirely. Comparisons have been made to events like the Senior Bowl or Shrine Bowl, where selective participation shapes the event while still providing valuable evaluations. Smaller convoys of coaches and scouts can still gather critical intel on draft-eligible players. Another potential adaptation is a traveling or segmented Combine, allowing teams and prospects to participate regionally rather than all converging on Indianapolis. This could reduce injury concerns while preserving the opportunity for standardized assessments. For now, the Combine’s core components — interviews, psychological testing, and medical evaluations — remain intact. Even as participation fluctuates, teams are unlikely to abandon a centralized, structured evaluation system completely. Ultimately, the conversation isn’t about the Combine dying entirely, but rather about its evolution. If top-tier athletes increasingly skip drills, the NFL may need to adjust how the event is staged, marketed, and integrated into the broader draft process.