2023 Panini Absolute Football

Panini's final NFL release before losing the license, 2023 Absolute Football marks the end of an era for the company that defined premium football cards for nearly two decades. The set centers on current stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts alongside a solid rookie class that includes Will Anderson Jr. and C.J. Stroud. Absolute has always been about premium production quality and clean designs, with a focus on on-card autographs and numbered parallels rather than chase hits. This particular year feels bittersweet knowing it's the last Panini product collectors will see. The parallels here are where the collecting really happens. You're looking at Spectrum parallels numbered to varying amounts depending on the tier, along with Materials cards featuring game-worn swatches. Autograph content comes primarily through base rookie autographs and inserts like Absolute Signatures. Print runs lean heavier compared to some recent years, which means hobby boxes aren't as brutal on the wallet as they once were. The set emphasizes consistent hits over lottery-ticket variance, so expect a few autos and parallels per box rather than one mega-hit. Retail versions exist but carry the usual reduced odds and lower-numbered parallels compared to hobby. This is a solid product for someone who wants Panini's final hurrah without overpaying for nostalgia. The rookie class is legitimate and several names should hold value long-term. If you're chasing specific players, buying singles makes more sense than ripping, especially post-release when prices stabilize. The historical angle of it being Panini's last NFL set does add some collector appeal beyond the actual cards themselves. It's worth a box or two for the experience, but don't expect to chase it hard unless you're specifically building a Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen PC.