NFL reportedly unlikely to expand playoffs in 2015

Last offseason, it appeared the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell were intent on reaching an agreement to expand the playoff field from 12 to 14 teams. However, a report in the Washington Post suggests a potential change is now unlikely to arrive in time for the 2015 season.

“I think it’s gonna happen eventually, just maybe not for next season,” a source told the Washington Post. “It seems to have lost momentum. It still could be revived for the March [owners’] meeting. But at the moment it doesn’t look good for next season.”

According to the report, support for the suggested postseason expansion has withered since the last time the matter was discussed by league owners. The catalyst behind the shifting opinions seems to be concern over the NFL’s broadcast agreement with CBS. In addition to carrying games on Sunday, CBS added Thursday night regular season games to its schedule in conjunction with the NFL Network. League leaders don’t want to add playoff games at the same time they’re negotiating the broadcast rights for Thursday night games. Because the Thursday night agreement with CBS is essentially a year-to-year proposition, the league has pushed off serious discussion of playoff expansion for the time being.

That doesn’t mean change to the postseason model is completely off the table. Though one source said the league office is not currently pushing for more playoff teams, another still sees it happening down the road.