The NFL has never shied away from making bold changes to maximize revenue, and another major shift could be on the horizon. According to reports, Commissioner Roger Goodelland league owners will discuss the possibility of extending the regular season to 18 games during next week’s NFL Owners Meetings.
Goodell has publicly stated that an 18-game schedule is the next “logical step” in the league’s evolution. Under this proposal, the total season length would remain at 20 weeks, with teams playing two preseason games instead of the current three. This adjustment follows the precedent set in 2021, when the NFL expanded from 16 to 17 regular-season games.
Player concerns and union negotiations
While owners see the financial upside of an extra game, not everyone is on board. The biggest hurdle remains the players, who would have to agree to the change through collective bargaining. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has already engaged in high-level discussions about the expansion, but concerns over player health and safety could slow negotiations.
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell acknowledged that while talks have begun, there are “economic, health, and safety matters” that must be resolved before any deal is finalized. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) runs through the 2030 season, meaning owners would need to negotiate an amendment if they hope to implement the change earlier.
Mixed reactions from players
A recent anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic revealed that nearly 60% of respondents oppose an 18-game schedule, citing concerns over increased injuries and physical strain. “No, because players barely make it through 17,” one player said. “Adding 18, we don’t know what type of implications that’ll have long-term.”
Others have expressed willingness to consider the expansion-if the NFL provides an additional bye week to help manage the physical toll. While Goodell did not confirm whether this is an option, he previously stated that the league would evaluate ways to improve player safety before moving forward.
A matter of time?
The shift to 17 games felt inevitable, and an 18-game schedule appears to be following the same trajectory. With billions of dollars at stake, the
NFL
is unlikely to abandon the idea. The question is not if the league will expand the schedule-but when.
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