With free agency ongoing and the draft about a month away, there are myriad NFL topics for content creators at this time of year. This didn’t stop Will Compton from reigniting an often-discussed debate: can NFL players seamlessly transition to the NBA?
The Bussin’ With the Boys co-host posed this question after a viral video showcasing DK Metcalf dominating a pickup game. The 6-foot-4 Metcalf is undeniably a world-class athlete, appearing to be among the taller players on the court. Compton utilized this highlight reel to spark a debate that was a hot topic on ESPN nearly 10 months ago. “Just watching DK Metcalf here – it’s funny to me that people don’t think NFL players could play in the NBA,” the former NFL linebacker remarked.
Just watching DK Metcalf here – it’s funny to me that people don’t think NFL players could play in the NBA pic.twitter.com/cTbgRJHSiC
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) March 19, 2025
Compton’s post comes nearly a year after Austin Rivers, a former shooting guard turned NBA analyst, made headlines on The Pat McAfee Show with the opposing view, asserting that 30 NBA players could step into the NFL effortlessly. Rivers faced immediate backlash from ex-NFL players like McAfee and JJ Watt, resulting in a lengthy news cycle about this hypothetical scenario—equally absurd and unanswerable.
Despite the debate’s silliness, Rivers at least waited until May to express his opinion. Perhaps Compton aimed for a similar approach for viral attention, or more likely, he simply watched Metcalf’s dominant performance and felt compelled to declare the athletic superiority of NFL players. Regardless, waiting a couple more months might have been a more strategic move to amplify the attention his post received, as history shows such debates can truly gain momentum.
