Random Wax: 2023 Contenders Football Blaster

2023 Contenders:   Justin Jefferson and the Vikings are still trying to figure out quarterback.  They did sign Kyler Murray.  I'm not a Murray guy but the Vikings are better than the Cardinals and I'm interested to see if Murray can do well with Minnesota.

Lamar still hasn't shown us he can rise up to the challenge in the playoffs, future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald is retired, and Saquon has won a championship with the Eagles.

Nothing left to say about Barry Sanders, but he was so great and fun to watch.  Even sometimes when he was roasting your team, you'd just be in awe.

Cousins and Wilson's careers have not gone as expected while Amon-Ra St. Brown is still one of the great receivers in the NFL.

Anthony Richardson couldn't stay healthy and couldn't show he was a worthy starting QB.  Jayden Reed has been good but dealt with injuries last year.  Draft Class, Rookie Ticket Relics and Round Numbers are all good ways to showcase young players.

I really like the look of Rookie Stallions inserts.

Lawrence and the Jags were 13-4 in 2025.  He still needs to get his completion percentage up and cut down on interceptions but maybe 2026 is the year he turns the corner.

Some defensive studs and quarterback goodness from the league.  Patrick Mahomes is the all-time leader in passing yards per game at 285.2.  I hope he can come back from injury with minimal impact.  KC did add a good running back, and Super Bowl MVP, in Kenneth Walker III.

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards

3 – Historic Draft Class Contenders

2 – Game Ticket Bronze Parallel

1 - Retired Great

1 – Rookie Stallions

1 – Round Numbers

1 – Draft Class Contenders

1 – Rookie Ticket Swatches

Random Wax: 2023 Contenders Football Blaster

2023 Contenders:  Dak and the Cowboys have not lived up to expectations this season.  That of course causes all kinds of commotion in Cowboy nation.  And makes for great memes.

As usual a good pull in this pack.  That Lamar Jackson is a bronze parallel.  I pulled a red parallel of him in his last pack.  I do like this design.  I know there isn't' much room for the photo but I like it.  I like getting to see the background of the photo as well which isn't always the case with Contenders.

These Draft Class Contenders cards are fun flash backs to retired greats.  The dual photos really work.

What are the odds of two Tanks on the same card?  I like it.

The 49ers are dealing with injuries to key offensive weapons and it shows.  They still have time to get into the playoff hunt and nobody is running away with the division.  They just have to weather this storm.

Lots of wide receiver love here.  Evans is injured but looked good before going out.  Diggs is fitting in well in Houston and Adams is hoping to turnaround the Jets' culture and offense.

I like the Stallions cards.  The Rookie Ticket Dual Swatch was a really good pull with Robinson and Gibbs both being excellent running backs in the league today.

But neither can stand up to King Henry.  Derrick Henry is having a monster year with Baltimore, and I love it.  Great seeing him do so well for a winning team.  Burrow is having maybe his best season, but it hasn't equated to wins for Cincy. McCaffrey has battled injuries again this year but man he's fun when he's on the field.  Great box of cards!

BREAKDOWN:
40 – Total Cards
2 – Bronze Parallel
2 – Round Numbers
2 – Draft Class Contenders
1 - Retired Great
1 – Rookie Stallions
1 – Historic Draft Class
1 – Rookie Ticket Dual Swatch

Random Wax: 2023 Contenders Football

2023 Contenders:  Week 1 Sunday football...GO! Can't wait.  I'm sure Lamar and the Ravens can't wait either.  They seem prime for a strong championship run.  Can they do it?  TBD.  This card is a Red Parallel.

I like the design of this year's Contenders' set.  Small sized set so you should normally get a decent pull, and I feel like I overachieved in this pack.  

Hopefully Anthony Richardson can be stay healthy and do well in Indy.  Will McDonald had three sacks in his rookie season.  The backs are good.  Not great but good.

Love the Historic Draft Class inserts.  Good design and I really enjoy seeing guys like LT on cardboard.

Plenty of receiving goodness here.

I think Russell Wilson and how he does with a change of scenery is one of the biggest stories of the year.  Surely it is in Pittsburgh.  Can't wait to see what Kirk Cousins does in Atlanta to.  We needed the quarterback help and he could be the answer.  And to end it, we get some kicker and some more Kansas City love.  Enjoy week one!

BREAKDOWN:
22 – Total Cards
3 – Red Game Ticket Parallels
1 – RC
1 – Draft Class
1 – Retired Great
1 – Round Numbers
1 – Historic Draft Class
1 – Bronze Game Ticket Parallel

2023 Contenders Football Blaster

2023 Contenders:  Christian McCaffrey didn't get a Super Bowl win last season, but he did get the AP Player of the Year award after leading the league with 1400+ rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns.  McCaffrey is a favorite of mine.  Feels like he's been around forever but he's only 27.

I historically enjoy Contenders and I do like this year's design.  It keeps their fairly standard points they like to hit with Contenders but overall a nice looking card.  That Lamar Jackson is a Red Parallel.

Rookies come in different options including Draft Class Contenders, Rookie Stallions and Round Numbers.

We always want more stats but overall, these aren't bad backs.  Very colorful and they have what we are used to today.  There are 100 veteran cards in this set so there's a good chance of having a good pull like I did here.

Not a bad Rookie Ticket Swatch.  I'll be curious to see what Bijan Robinson does with a better quarterback under center.  As a reminder, SEC, Row and SEAT are the player's weight, height and jersey number.

The Historic Draft Class inserts are a great way to see retired greats.  I like the look and wish there were more opportunities to see these past greats on new cardboard.

We'll end it with some of the great pass catchers in the league.  Fun box of cards and plenty of stars from the league.  I'll definitely grab more of these.

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards

2 – Round Numbers

1 – Retired Great

1 – Bronze Parallel

1 – Rookie Stallions

1 – Draft Class Contenders

1 – Game Ticket Red Parallel

1 – Historic Draft Class Contenders

1 – Rookie Ticket Dual Swatches