Patrick Mahomes is widely considered the face of the NFL, the most electrifying quarterback of his generation, and one of the few players who can tilt the balance of power in the league on his own.

Yet the discussion around him not being in the so-called “99 Club” has sparked debates that go beyond ratings or accolades. In the Madden video game, the “99 Club” is reserved for the most dominant and nearly flawless players in the league. Mahomes has been in and out of that tier in different editions, but his absence from it this time feels like a statement. For some, it’s a reminder that even the best player alive isn’t guaranteed perfection in every metric. For others, it highlights just how high the bar has been set for Mahomes, where anything less than a 99 feels like disrespect.

The reality is that Mahomes has already accomplished more in his career than many Hall of Famers did in their entire tenure. Two Super Bowls, multiple MVPs, and a résumé full of highlight plays that will live forever in NFL lore. But football is a game that thrives on narratives, and narratives require constant motion. If Mahomes is not at 99, fans and analysts ask themselves: is he declining? Is the rest of the league catching up? Or is this simply a matter of subjective rankings not being able to quantify greatness that is still unfolding? These questions aren’t really about numbers but about perception, and perception is what keeps Mahomes both admired and scrutinized more than any other quarterback in the league.

While Mahomes and the 99 Club debate dominate headlines nationally, in Dallas the energy has been focused on three words shouted loudly by fans: “Pay Micah.” Micah Parsons has been the heart and soul of the Cowboys’ defense since entering the league, and his impact is undeniable. Every season he seems to grow more disruptive, capable of taking over games by himself, pressuring quarterbacks, and dictating how opponents call their plays. In the eyes of the fanbase, Parsons is not just a star — he’s the kind of generational defender the franchise hasn’t seen since DeMarcus Ware, maybe even since Lawrence Taylor comparisons began to swirl around his skillset.

When Cowboys fans chanted “Pay Micah” during a preseason appearance from Jerry Jones, the message was clear: do not drag this out, do not nickel-and-dime, and do not let ego get in the way of securing a defensive cornerstone.

Jones laughed it off with a comment about how the chants weren’t nearly as loud as last year’s “Pay CeeDee” chorus, but the sentiment resonated deeply with those following the team.

The Cowboys are forever walking the line between contender and underachiever, and Parsons represents the side of the franchise that demands to be taken seriously.

If Jones lets this saga become prolonged or contentious, it risks alienating a player who has already proved he is worth every penny, and it risks testing the patience of fans who have been waiting for Dallas to return to true championship form.

At the same time, Parsons’ situation is part of a broader NFL trend. Elite young defenders are commanding contracts that rival those of top offensive stars, reflecting just how important they have become in countering modern high-powered passing attacks. A pass-rusher who can dominate off the edge is as valuable as a quarterback who can buy time with his legs.

Parsons is both versatile and dominant, and the market will soon make it impossible for Dallas to stall. The chants may have been playful, but they were also prophetic — a deal will have to come, and when it does, it could reset the market once again.

Beyond Mahomes’ rating debates and Parsons’ contract battle, the conversation turns to Pittsburgh, where one of the NFL’s most passionate fanbases is asking a simple but loaded question: can we believe in the Steelers? The franchise has long been synonymous with consistency, toughness, and a commitment to winning. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, a fact that remains one of the most impressive coaching streaks in modern football. But in recent years, the Steelers have felt more like survivors than contenders, hovering around .500, scrapping into playoff contention without ever feeling like true threats in January.

This season offers another test. The defense, led by T.J. Watt, remains formidable, capable of wrecking games and creating turnovers. The offense, however, is where belief becomes complicated. Questions about quarterback play have hovered over the franchise since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and while young talent is in place, consistency has been elusive. Fans want to believe that this is the year the Steelers not only remain competitive but reassert themselves as one of the AFC’s true powers. The problem is that the AFC is crowded with juggernauts: Mahomes’ Chiefs, Josh Allen’s Bills, Joe Burrow’s Bengals, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens. Against that backdrop, “believing in the Steelers” is less about statistics and more about faith in culture, coaching, and resilience.

For many, that faith is still intact. Tomlin’s ability to keep teams competitive even when rosters are flawed has earned him immense respect, and the Steelers’ identity as a hard-nosed, never-quit team remains unchanged. But belief also requires evidence, and the next step for Pittsburgh is showing that they can not only hang with the elites but beat them consistently. That’s where young offensive stars will need to rise, the offensive line will need to solidify, and the quarterback position must deliver more than flashes. Believing in the Steelers isn’t just a question for fans; it’s a challenge for the players to prove that their tradition of excellence still holds weight in a league that has evolved rapidly.

Taken together, these three storylines reflect the multi-layered nature of the NFL today. Mahomes not being in the 99 Club represents how even the greatest talents are judged against impossible standards, with every season seen as either affirmation or regression. Parsons’ chants reflect how modern players and fanbases are more aware than ever of contract realities and how star defenders can change the trajectory of a team’s future. And the Steelers’ question reflects how legacy franchises must navigate the tension between tradition and the demands of a hyper-competitive era. The common thread is belief: belief in greatness, belief in value, belief in culture. These are not just statistics on a page; they are the elements that shape how we view the present and future of the league.

As the season unfolds, Mahomes will continue to prove that he doesn’t need a video game rating to validate his dominance, Parsons will keep pressuring quarterbacks while the Cowboys negotiate how to pay him, and the Steelers will grind their way through one of the toughest schedules in football. The beauty of the NFL is that these questions don’t have simple answers. The 99 Club will be updated, contracts will eventually be signed, and teams will either rise or fall based on performance. But for now, these stories keep the league buzzing, reminding us why football remains the most captivating sport in America.