I think decline is working as intended. Agents' thinking about decline is just stupid, though. A player does not suddenly become useless in his 11th season. A guy a season or two into decline is no worse than a guy a season or two from peak and he's got more VA's. (He doesn't level up and need EQ upgrades either) This means that a team can stay together long enough to get to the upper levels while growing new players to rotate in and they'll have the cash to equip them if they keep the old guys around a little while.
I think the whining about decline not being fast enough comes from people who thought decline meant the player practically dies in his 10th season and have found out that is not the case. I don't care how unrealistic you think it is to have a player go over ten seasons. This is not the NFL. Hell, my kid is 14 and he's been playing tackle football for 7 years. So if you want it to be realistic, a pro player should be able to start in peewee and play for about 25 seasons if he's good. Ten would only get you through high school.
Also, this is a game where people pay to build players and they shouldn't be forced to retire as soon as they hit peak.
I think the whining about decline not being fast enough comes from people who thought decline meant the player practically dies in his 10th season and have found out that is not the case. I don't care how unrealistic you think it is to have a player go over ten seasons. This is not the NFL. Hell, my kid is 14 and he's been playing tackle football for 7 years. So if you want it to be realistic, a pro player should be able to start in peewee and play for about 25 seasons if he's good. Ten would only get you through high school.
Also, this is a game where people pay to build players and they shouldn't be forced to retire as soon as they hit peak.