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With the success of the extra 17th game, owners quickly began talking about a potential 18th game. Not everyone is on board with the idea, but based on how the NFL owners discussed the matter at the NFL meetings, it seems more a matter of when than if.
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New at @NFLonCBS: No one with the NFL had to explicitly say “18 games” at the league meetings this week because it was understood. Why the additional game is key in the league’s big plans, and how it can come about https://t.co/yeYlpilfJX
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 4, 2025
According to several sources, 2027 is the target year for the longer schedule, with that year being viewed as the earliest it would be instituted.
There are plenty of reasons for a longer season from an owner’s perspective. Money first off is a driving force, as is usual in any business-related concept. Spreading the game globally is another reason for the longer season.
The NFL has slowly been playing more games globally, so having a longer season provides an extra week to play games in other countries.
The main holdup to a longer season is player safety, which, unlike the extended season, has been a huge talking point at the NFL meetings.
Kara Durrette/Getty Images
When discussing the tush push and its potential ban, the main reason for people not wanting it anymore is the potential health risks.
While there isn’t any evidence to suggest it is dangerous as of now, the NFL has gone through a movement of limiting any potential health risks over the past few seasons, so it makes sense many in the league would at least question it.
While in general player safety is and should be a primary goal of the league, it is very likely an extension to the season is also part of the motivation for improving player safety.
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If the main concern among players for a longer season is their health, then that means the owners will want evidence that player health is improving. While it hasn’t been that long since this huge change in emphasis occurred, there has been significant progress in health, especially when it comes to concussions.
From an NFL fan perspective, a longer season is likely a positive. Getting an extra game to watch favorite teams play is a great thing, and it can be viewed as a positive from a betting or fantasy football perspective as well.
Besides maybe from the players’ perspective, an extra game seems like a positive thing for the NFL. That means that the schedule expansion should be coming sooner rather than later, and improving player health could be a deciding factor as to when it actually happens.
For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
