There are talks of the NFL season expanding to 18 games in the near future. According to a report by Mark Maske from The Washington Post, the NFL and NFLPA have initiated “high-level discussions” about transitioning to an 18-game schedule.
NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell stated in an interview with the Washington Post, “We have had preliminary discussions about the possibility of an 18-game season. However, there are various factors such as the origin of the 18th game, economic implications, and player health and safety concerns that need to be thoroughly examined before any decisions are made.”
Historically, the NFL had a 16-game season from 1978 to 2020. In 2021, the league extended the season to 17 games. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his support for an 18-game schedule earlier this year, emphasizing the preference for regular-season games over preseason matches.
Goodell also mentioned that an extended season would result in the Super Bowl being played on Sunday night during President’s Day weekend, allowing for a 3-day weekend celebration.
The decision to expand the NFL schedule to 17 games in 2021 was met with a narrow majority of players in favor. Howell acknowledged the financial benefits of increasing the number of games but emphasized the importance of addressing all relevant factors before making a decision.
With the current NFL CBA in place until 2030, there is ample time for both parties to reach a consensus on the potential expansion to an 18-game season.