Roger Goodell Clarifies: 18-Game NFL Season Not Guaranteed
Recently, the NFL landscape has seen discussions around the possibility of expanding the regular season. Team owner Robert Kraft expressed optimism, suggesting that every team would eventually play 18 regular-season games. However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell tempered that enthusiasm during a press conference held in San Francisco.
Roger Goodell on the 18-Game NFL Season
Goodell emphasized that any expansion to an 18-game season isn’t guaranteed. He pointed out that the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is undergoing significant leadership changes. Therefore, any potential adjustment to the schedule must be collectively bargained.
Current Collective Bargaining Agreement
According to Goodell, the league is fortunate that the current collective bargaining agreement is effective until the 2030 season. At this time, the league has not initiated formal discussions regarding an expanded season. Goodell stated, “We have not had any formal discussions about it and, frankly, very little, if any, informal conversations.”
Key Considerations for Expansion
Goodell outlined several critical factors that the league must address before moving to an 18-game schedule:
- Player safety
- Potential for multiple bye weeks
- Size of active rosters
While conversations about the expansion seem inevitable, Goodell remains cautious. He made it clear that the league does not assume any changes will automatically happen. “It is something we want to talk about with union leadership,” he noted, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of all issues involved.
