NFL's Potential Shift to an 18-Game Schedule Sparks Player Concerns

Recent reports indicate that the NFL is considering an 18-game regular-season schedule, a change that could be implemented as early as 2028. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones highlighted that this adjustment would involve eliminating one of the three preseason games and introducing a second bye week, a demand from players. The financial implications are significant, with projections suggesting an increase of over a billion dollars in revenue. However, the distribution of this revenue remains a contentious issue.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, a Super Bowl champion, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed 18-game schedule. Flacco expressed concerns that extending the regular season could diminish the quality of playoff football. He stated, “I think what could happen is the playoffs start to suffer and you get teams that are so beat up... instead of getting top-level football you're getting a couple teams going against each other at 75%.” Flacco emphasized that without adequate financial incentives for players, the expansion to 18 games lacks justification.

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Flacco also raised a broader concern regarding the potential for further expansion beyond 18 games. He questioned, “What happens when we go to 18? Are they going to want 20? Are they going to want 22?” He pointed out that the league previously played 14 games, suggesting that there should be limits to how far the schedule can extend.

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While the NFL has not officially commented on the specifics of the proposed schedule change, the league's management is aware of the financial benefits and the necessity of negotiating with the players' union. The potential for increased revenue is a key factor in discussions surrounding the next collective bargaining agreement.

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Flacco's remarks reflect a broader sentiment among players who are wary of the physical toll an extended season could impose. The concern is that an 18-game schedule may lead to increased injuries and a decline in the overall quality of play during crucial postseason games. Players are also apprehensive about how the financial gains from an extended schedule will be allocated, fearing that only a select few will benefit from the increased revenue.

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As discussions about the 18-game schedule continue, the NFL and the players' union will need to address these concerns in their upcoming negotiations. The outcome will likely shape the future of the league and its approach to player welfare and financial equity.

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• “I don't think people realize that when you put guys through an 18-game regular season schedule, I think what could happen is the playoffs start to suffer and you get teams that are so beat up by that point in the year that they're not really at their best, so instead of getting top-level football you're getting a couple teams going against each other at 75%, and basically, it becomes a war of attrition,” — Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

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• “What you have to realize is that if there's a whole extra week added on to the season, then the revenue's going to go up, and naturally, the salary cap is going to go up,” — Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

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• “It's got to stop at some point,” — Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

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