NFL And NFLPA Have Discussions Regarding 18 Game Schedule

Are we close to getting another game added to the NFL schedule. It has been reported that the NFL and NFLPA have had discussions regarding an 18 game schedule. Adam Schefter reported on his x.com account some details. “The NFL Players Association and the NFL have had discussions at a “very high level” over potentially adding an 18th regular-season game to the schedule, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell told @MarkMaske.”

So should we break out the champagne to celebrate? Not hardly. NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell shared his thoughts with the Washington Post.

“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,'” Howell told the Post. “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 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires after the 2030 season. As mandated by the CBA any change to the length of the season would need to be collectively bargained. The expansion from 16 to 17 games in 2021 was narrowly approved by 51.5% of the players. So it seems that quite a few players may be less than thrilled to add another game to the schedule.

NFL And NFLPA Have Discussions Regarding 18 Game Schedule

There are other factors that also need to be considered:

“Our membership is interested in a myriad of things before we even get to the number of games — health and safety, field surface, OTA makeup, compensation, what percent of their annual compensation is guaranteed,” Howell said. “So there are many things before we get to [the] 18th game. … It’s a negotiable point. “But what’s the complexion of the 18? How many of the games are now going to be overseas? And where’s overseas? Is it Western Europe, is it South America, as in this year? Is it in Asia? Australia? These are things that are in the air. And then, to what I think Joe Burrow said, what about the number of bye weeks? Is it two? More than two?”

There haven’t been any formal negotiations yet and these are early days in the discussion.

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