The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) made one thing clear at Tuesday’s Super Bowl week press conference: players have “no appetite” for an 18-game regular season.
Interim executive director David White and president Jalen Reeves-Maybin characterized the 18th game as an “existential” threat to careers.
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Citing a brutal season that saw stars like Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew suffer late-season ACL tears, the union argued that the human cost of a longer schedule far outweighs the potential revenue.
The NFLPA vs. Robert Kraft’s vision
The union’s firm stance serves as a direct rebuttal to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who recently stated the league would “push like the dickens” for 18 games to support a wider international footprint.
“An arbitrary statement carries no weight,” White said, noting that no formal discussions have occurred.
Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which expires in March 2031, no changes can be made without the union agreeing to reopen negotiations.
The NFLPA’s concerns: Grass fields and global travel
Beyond the game count, the NFLPA is prioritizing two other safety factors:
- The Surface: Roughly 90% of players prefer natural grass over synthetic turf, which they argue is harder on the body.
- International Logistics: With nine international games set for 2026, the union criticized “arbitrary” travel schedules that lead to inconsistent recovery times and jet lag.
For now, the 18-game season remains a point of negotiation, not an inevitability. As White put it: “The 18th game is not casual for us. It’s a very serious issue.”
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