Most 'analysts' seem to be in denial that the insulting to most viewers protests have anything to do with the rating decline. I hope the decline continues and worsens until the idiot decision makers stop humoring this nonsense and put a stop to it.
Fans don't buy tickets or turn on the TV to learn the political views of football players or any other athletes.
But I would also suggest this....the owners want the ratings to continue like this....so they can walk in and demand cuts on salaries across the league. I think this is the bigger agenda at work. Even the network heads might want ratings to slide, so they can also lower contract expectations over the next twelve months.