NFL inching closer to 18-game schedule, per report

A long-rumored change to the NFL is inching closer to fruition.

According to a new report from Mark Maske of The Washington Post, the NFL and the NFLPA have begun “high-level discussions” regarding a move to an 18-game schedule. As reported in The Washington Post Lloyd Howell, the NFLPA’s executive director, told Maske that while “formal” talks between the NFL and the NFLPA have not begun, the two sides have begun discussions that are the latest sign yet that a move to a longer schedule is on the table.

“We have talked at a very, very, very high level superficially, with a recognition … about, ‘Yeah, this is something that we should be talking about. And we should really kick the tires and understand what else goes into that decision-making process,’ ” said Howell. “Where does the 18th game come from? I think the foregone conclusion is well, you just grab it, like, in what would otherwise be [preseason games] in August. You play it forward. But these are details that really need to be fleshed out. But, again, there are other economic, health and safety matters that also need to be clear to our members before there’s ever an agreement about an 18th game.”

The league’s current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2030 season, and contains provisions barring the league from unilaterally increasing the length of the season. However, Howell told Maske that an agreement could be reached between the league and the players’ union to increase the amount of games prior to a new CBA being ratified.

“The simple fact of the matter is when you have a growing enterprise and there are opportunities within that intervening period of time where progress could be made and you could tweak the existing CBA legal document, why wouldn’t you want to do that?” Howell said. “So whether it’s field surface, whether it’s the [offseason] schedule, if you want to call that formal — I call it bargaining. I call it amendments. I call it updates to what is now a living document called a CBA. Yeah, I want to be able to have our membership in a position to jump on it when we can, not wait until their playing days are done and it’s like you go through the cycle all over again.”

Speaking at the NFL’s owner meetings earlier this spring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted a preference for a longer schedule, and indicated that a reduction in the number of preseason games could be on the table as part of such an agreement.

“We would do it in the context of reducing the number of preseason games,” said Goodell in April. “We think that’s a good trade.”

Another potential implication of an 18-game schedule?

Aligning the Super Bowl with Presidents’ Day Weekend in the United States, building in a potential day off for fans.

Something Goodell also highlighted back in April.

“I think we’re good at 17 now,” Goodell said in April. “But, listen, we’re looking at how we continue. I’m not a fan of the preseason. The reality is, I’d rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day. That’s just picking quality. If we get to 18 and 2, that’s not an unreasonable thing.

“And then you have Monday off,” Goodell said referring to the holiday weekend.