I think it would be a good feature to randomize the player decline for each position, having a range of +/- 3 years from where they typically decline. DB's almost always physically decline around 30 years old. For DB's, you could have it so that they could begin to decline anytime between 27 and 33. Or have it similar to your retirement equation, where each offseason, each player will have an increasing chance of physically declining (something like 10% at 27, 20% at 28, 30% at 29, that would leave them a 50% chance at making it to 30 without physically declining). An alternative idea would be for each player to have a set hidden age where they begin to decline.
I just think it's better to randomize it a bit so that positions like DB/WR/RB don't have a near guarantee decline at 30 years old. It will give people more incentive to re-sign older players at the chance that they can maintain their peak a few more years. (I for one will almost never re-sign a speed player to a contract that brings them into their 30s because of the near guarantee decline at 30). It will also raise their value on the trade market for a few more seasons than normal. Those savvy veterans trying to pull a fast one on newcomers will now have to do some guesswork on when they should dump their guys, rather than always trading their 29 year old DBs for 1+ first round picks. Perhaps if they don't trade them at 27, their player declines and loses their trade value. It also provides some realism to the game, not every speed player will decline immediately at 30, sometimes they will drop off earlier, sometimes later.
Last edited at 3/06/2019 3:29 am
