So, I got this question rattling around in my head the other day: Is there actually an NFL team based right here in Oregon? You see folks wearing Seahawks stuff all the time, naturally, being neighbors and all. And sometimes you spot 49ers or even Raiders gear. But a proper Oregon team? I wasn’t so sure.
Naturally, I started poking around. Fired up the computer, did the usual searches. Typed in things like “pro football Oregon,” “NFL team Portland,” stuff like that. What kept popping up? News about the Seahawks, discussions about the fan base here being split, articles mentioning how Portland is a big market without a team.
I dug a bit deeper, trying to remember if there ever was a team. I seem to recall some buzz years ago, maybe someone trying to get a franchise here. Found some old articles talking about potential bids, mostly centered around Portland. There was definitely talk about trying to lure the Raiders here before they settled on Las Vegas. That seemed like a serious possibility for a while, but it fizzled out.
Why No Team Then?
It got me thinking about the reasons. My own take, just from living here and paying attention:
- Market Size & Competition: Maybe the feeling is the market is already covered by Seattle? Portland’s a decent size, sure, but maybe not big enough on its own in the eyes of the league, especially with a team just a few hours north.
- Stadium Situation: This is a big one. Building an NFL-ready stadium costs an unbelievable amount of money. Providence Park is great for the Timbers and Thorns, but it’s way too small for NFL crowds and logistics. I haven’t heard any serious, funded plans for a massive new football stadium lately. Without a stadium plan, you can’t really even start the conversation.
- College Loyalty: Let’s be honest, Oregonians love their Ducks and Beavers. College football is huge here. Maybe that intense local college loyalty takes up a lot of the oxygen for football fandom.
I also remembered some other pro football attempts, but not NFL. Weren’t there Arena Football teams? Like the Portland Forest Dragons back in the day, or the Portland Steel more recently? Yeah, indoor stuff. Fun, fast-paced, but definitely not the NFL.
So, after going down that rabbit hole, checking old news, and just thinking it through based on what I’ve seen over the years, the answer is pretty straightforward. Nope, no NFL team in Oregon. Never has been one, actually. Just lots of fans supporting other teams, mostly the Seahawks, or sticking passionately to the college game. It feels like one of those things people talk about occasionally, like a “what if,” but the practical hurdles, especially the stadium one, have always been too high. It’s just the reality of it for now.
