The 2025 NFL playoffs are upon us, and while fans eagerly anticipate thrilling matchups, one surprising trend has emerged—former Oklahoma Sooners players, who many thought would be irrelevant at this stage in their careers, have found themselves making a splash on the playoff stage. But hold on, it’s not exactly what it seems.
These “Sooners” aren’t necessarily the superstars of yesteryear; in fact, many of them are barely hanging on by a thread. Through questionable roster decisions and sheer luck, a handful of former Oklahoma players have somehow managed to scrape into postseason contention—often by riding the coattails of star players or through the misfortune of others.
First, we have the case of insert player name, a former Oklahoma quarterback whose professional career has been a rollercoaster of underperformance and bad decisions. Despite being a far cry from his college glory days, he finds himself as the backup for a playoff team. His presence on the roster has raised eyebrows and sparked debates among analysts, who question whether his continued involvement is more about nostalgia than actual skill.
Then there’s insert player name, a running back who was once a college phenom, but who has failed to impress at the professional level. After being dropped by several teams over the years, he’s somehow back in the NFL fold and now finds himself in a playoff-bound squad. While he’s had minimal impact on games, the sheer fact that he’s on a playoff roster has many wondering if his former fame still holds sway.
This isn’t to say that all former Sooners have faked their way into the playoffs—some have earned their spots with talent, hard work, and dedication. However, the story of those who managed to cling to relevancy through luck, timing, or a few right-place-right-time moments is one that cannot be ignored.
As the playoffs roll forward, one thing is clear: the NFL’s infatuation with big names doesn’t always guarantee success, and sometimes, a former Sooner—no matter how undeserving—can make it to the big stage. Whether this will lead to anything substantial in the postseason remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: these Oklahoma alumni might just be the most overrated “playoff contenders” you’ll ever see.
