The ongoing debate over expanding the NFL regular season to 18 games remains a hot topic, with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) strongly opposing the idea. Despite NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suggesting the move as a future inevitability, the players' union, led by executive director Lloyd Howell, has expressed significant reservations.
Howell, speaking from New Orleans, clarified that formal discussions about extending the season have yet to occur. The introduction of an 18th game would necessitate renegotiations of the collective bargaining agreement, a task neither side has yet pursued officially. Their side hasn’t raised it, we certainly haven’t raised it, said Howell. It’s a players’ decision as to what they will agree to do or not. He highlighted that an 18-game season doesn’t resonate with players, with many already finding the 17-game schedule taxing.
Should negotiations commence, the players’ union would demand significant concessions from the NFL. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, the Detroit Lions linebacker and NFLPA president, mentioned potential demands without detailing specific requests. These could include financial incentives, further bye weeks, improved playing conditions, and expanded rosters, as the players prioritize health and safety.
The thorny issue of health and safety remains central to the discussion. If I’m asking my workforce to work more, it’s not as simple as falling back on the existing revenue split, Howell commented. The distribution of revenue and safety improvements would be critical negotiation points, echoing widespread sentiment among players.
Players also recall the narrow passage of the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, focusing on financial aspects. Under this agreement, the division of league revenue increased from 47% to 48% with the introduction of a 17th game, with potential to rise to 48.5%. Given these figures, players aim for a 50% revenue share to consider an extra game.
Despite the league's advancements in safety and training measures, many remain skeptical about the burdens of an extended season. Texans quarterback Case Keenum underscores this, stating, This time of year, the training room is pretty full. A lot of us are struggling to get our bodies right. Running back Austin Ekeler adds, The thought of 18 games makes me cringe. My ankles, as a running back, need months to heal after a season.
While the current collective bargaining agreement extends until 2030, both sides could agree to any modifications at any time. Nonetheless, the idea of adding more games poses challenges not only concerning logistics and player welfare but also in negotiations that could potentially reshape the future of the league.
