No matter how many times Bauer saves the country from catastrophic chemical, nuclear or biological attacks, he's always unappreciated, marginalized and disrespected by the time the next season comes around. It's one of the many not-very-believable themes in the show - the guy should be a national hero at some point. But perhaps when you consider that Kurt Warner, who despite getting his team to three Super Bowls, having some of the best per play stats in NFL history and torching the league's No. 1 defense in this past Super Bowl, is similarly considered inessential to the Cardinals future, perhaps it's easier to suspend disbelief about 24.

It's fine if the Cardinals want to hand over the reins to Matt Leinart and use that money elsewhere, but it's almost comical how Warner has to re-prove his worthiness almost every season as if all his accomplishments were some kind of fortuitous fluke.