As 2024 comes to a close, here’s a look at which Pro Football Reference player pages had the most views in each state this year.
Who was the most viewed player page in your state? pic.twitter.com/bctL3VU5cr
— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) December 10, 2024
New Orleans Saints fans in Louisiana have spent a lot of time reflecting on the past, which is easy to understand in a 4-8 season wrecked by injuries to star talents. But their most-searched player stats aren’t for anyone on the roster. Pro Football Network’s researchers found that readers from Louisiana visited the page for Drew Brees more than any other player.
Not Derek Carr. Not Alvin Kamara. Brees received more views on his PFN player stats page than any active Saints players.
Saints fans weren’t the only ones keeping an eye on their former players. New England Patriots fans in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine viewed Tom Brady’s page more frequently than any active Patriots players, too. Chicago Bears fans in Illinois kept tabs on Justin Fields (moreso than Caleb Williams) while Seattle Seahawks faithful in Washington state have been checking on the other Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Russell Wilson. And Tennessee Titans fans have been watching Derrick Henry’s progress with the Baltimore Ravens, too.
But studying this map makes a few things clear. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are faces of the league, while regional favorites like Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy are building strong followings. And it’s a quarterback-driven league. Henry is the only skills position player represented on the map. Finding a talented young passer is key, and the sooner the Saints can find a worthy heir for Brees, the better.