NFL Combine Losing Its Shine as Teams Rethink Value

The NFL combine, once a cornerstone of the scouting calendar, appears to be losing some of its influence over team decision-making. While prospects still showcase their athleticism and skills, league insiders report that several high-profile coaches and front office personnel are opting to skip Indianapolis in favor of office-based evaluations. This shift highlights changing priorities in how teams assess draft prospects and plan for the offseason.

Adam Schefter noted on his podcast that many teams are reconsidering the necessity of sending top brass to the combine. Some notable absences this year reportedly include the coaching and executive staffs of the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Even prominent coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur may only attend briefly or not at all.

The rationale, Schefter explains, is efficiency. Teams feel their time is better spent conducting evaluations, planning offseason programs, and analyzing free-agent opportunities from their own offices rather than traveling to Indianapolis. The combine, while still attended by all teams in some capacity, is no longer viewed as indispensable for top decision-makers.

Historically, the combine has been a central part of the draft process. Since 1985, it has brought together NFL personnel and college prospects to test speed, strength, agility, and football IQ. Drills like the 40-yard dash and the controversial Wonderlic test became benchmarks for assessing athletic and cognitive potential.

1. Historical Significance of the Combine

The NFL combine began as a way to standardize player evaluations, replacing multiple smaller regional camps that existed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Indianapolis became its permanent home nearly 40 years ago, offering a centralized venue for teams and prospects alike. Over time, the combine grew into a media spectacle, with television coverage bringing unprecedented visibility to individual prospects. Exceptional performances could elevate a player’s draft stock, while poor showings sometimes raised questions about a player’s readiness for the NFL. Drills ranged from physical testing—bench press reps, vertical jump, shuttle runs—to interviews and cognitive evaluations like the Wonderlic. Each component aimed to provide a fuller picture of a prospect, blending measurable athleticism with decision-making ability. Despite its tradition and visibility, the combine’s role has begun to shift. Teams increasingly weigh a player’s college tape and pro day performances as primary indicators, with combine results acting as supplemental information rather than a deciding factor.

2. Declining Attendance Among Executives

A growing number of NFL coaches and general managers are choosing to forgo the combine entirely. Schefter pointed out that several teams see more value in staying in their home offices, where staff can analyze film, review draft boards, and strategize offseason plans without the distractions of travel. Even high-profile coaches are participating selectively. Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers may attend briefly, while other top decision-makers from teams like the 49ers and Rams reportedly will not make the trip. This trend signals that the combine is no longer seen as a critical forum for evaluating talent face-to-face. Some teams also cite the rise of alternative evaluation methods, including analytics, advanced statistics, and virtual interviews. These approaches allow teams to gather detailed insights without the logistical demands of a multi-day event. Attendance changes also affect the atmosphere of the combine itself. Fewer executives on the floor could reduce the intensity of drills, media attention, and player exposure. Still, for many prospects, the combine remains an important opportunity to showcase skills and improve draft positioning.

3. The Future of the Combine

As top prospects increasingly opt out of combine participation in favor of college pro days, the event’s influence could continue to decline. Players confident in their draft status often prefer the familiarity of their college environments to maximize performance and minimize injury risk. Teams are responding by adjusting priorities. Front offices now dedicate more time to film study, one-on-one evaluations, and free-agent planning, making the in-person combine less central to decision-making than in previous decades. However, the combine is unlikely to disappear entirely. It still provides a standardized setting to compare athletes directly, and certain drills and measurements remain unique to the event. Its media value and tradition also maintain relevance for fans and the league’s branding. This year’s 2026 combine in Indianapolis, running Thursday through Sunday, will likely reflect these ongoing changes. While participation remains robust, the absence of some of the NFL’s top decision-makers underscores the evolving role of this once-essential scouting event.