El Podcast

E75: From Draft Day to Retirement: Life of an NFL Player

Episode Summary

In this conversation, former NFL player Mike Wahle discusses the process of getting drafted into the NFL, the financial aspects of being a professional athlete, the importance of landing in the right organization, and the role of agents in contract negotiations. He emphasizes the significance of fit and coaching in a player's success and highlights the differences between various NFL organizations. Wahle also touches on the challenges of managing finances as a professional athlete and the importance of selecting the right agent. In this conversation, Mike Wahle discusses the challenges that NFL players face after retirement, including the struggle to find a new purpose and identity outside of football. He also talks about the changes in the NFL, such as the focus on player safety and the increasing salaries of quarterbacks. Wahle shares his insights on the importance of financial literacy and the potential pitfalls of fame and wealth. He also reflects on the physical toll of playing in the NFL and highlights some of the most genetically gifted players he has encountered.

Episode Notes

Former NFL lineman Mike Wahle joins the podcast to break down the realities of life in the league—from contracts and coaching to culture, taxes, and life after football.

Guest Bio:
Mike Wahle is a former All-Pro offensive lineman who played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, and Seattle Seahawks. He is the founder of Process to Perform, a platform dedicated to helping athletes become elite performers through mindset, technique, and preparation.

Topics Discussed:

• How the NFL draft process works from an insider’s perspective
• Agent selection, contract structure, and "guaranteed money" myths
• Taxes, signing bonuses, and living costs as a pro athlete
• The economics of player development vs. branding in today’s NFL
• Franchise culture: differences between Packers, Seahawks, and Panthers
• Decline in coaching quality and the rise of "scheme over skill"
• Endorsements, lifestyle pitfalls, and personal finance
• Life after football: identity, injury recovery, and career transitions
• Athletic freaks: Larry Allen, Trent Williams, and the genetic lottery

Top Quotes:

• “Your only real value to a team is your ability to win your 1v1 matchup.”
• “If you’re a top-level player, you want a new contract every three years to ride the salary cap wave.”
• “You don’t need a great agent to be a star. You need the right system, the right coaching, and a little bit of ‘crazy’ to survive.”