The wait is over, after months of the off-season, a new National Football League season is upon us. Even with all the action from the games, there is another kind of content which fills our screens – commercials. This year, the NFL has already teamed up with the brands, Applebee’s, Sprite, Snickers, Progressive and Visa. Some are controversial, some are loved, but they have all been viewed by millions of people worldwide.

The most controversial parts of NFL ads this year aren’t even from the actual ads themselves. It comes from NFL Redzone. One of the most popular football programs since 2009, providing fans with ad-free football for all NFL games all day. It was perfect for millions of NFL fans across the country. But on Sep 3, 2025, the host, Scott Hanson, confirmed their show will have ads throughout the program to increase revenue streams. This sent outrage to the whole NFL community. Everyone’s show, which they loved for being unique and not flooded with ads like most other shows, has finally switched to being like every other NFL program on TV.

The NFL has dug itself into an even deeper hole, as they used AI for one of their kickoff ads, which most people have described as “messy” and unoriginal, becoming one of the other corporations and brands using AI nowadays. Still, others saw it as exciting and innovative. 

“I really liked the ads that I do remember seeing. I think using big names like Shane Gillis or somebody that people like is a great way for these people to promote their item and get it out to more people.” Alex Streich ‘27 said.

On the positive side, many brands got positive feedback about their ads to kick off the new NFL season. Bud Light is one of the companies that got positive feedback by using public figures like Post Malone, Shane Gillis and Peyton Manning, along with Visa, which used 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey to promote their Visa subscription campaign.