NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Discussed Viability of 18 Games Season

At the 2024 Spring League Meeting in Nashville, TN, many topics were brought up. In his press conference, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discussed the viability of an 18 games season. He mentioned that there were two concerns with the possibility. One was player safety and the other was working with the players association. The league would have to reach an agreement with the NFLPA if they were to proceed with an 18 game season. As he mentioned, 17 games is already a long season and player safety has to be factored into the equation.

There is also the factor of the quality of the games. Reducing the number of preseason games would most likely be necessary. Goodell said, “We think that’s a good trade. Less preseason games and more regular season games I think most anybody would think was beneficial.”  NFL Insider Judy Bautista asked about the timeline he was thinking about for the expanded season as he had raised the topic during Draft Week. Goodell said he had been asked about possibly playing games on Saturday nights. And that’s what lead to the 18 games topic. However, he went on to say that he, “wasn’t floating something that they are actively thinking about.”

So for now it appears the potential for an 18 regular games season is not on the table. Per the 2020 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA):

“A 17th regular season game was added to the NFL schedule during the 2021 NFL season”. The CBA is in effect from 2020 – 2030. So it doesn’t seem likely the NFLPA would want to add another game to the regular season. At any rate both the league and the NFLPA would have to agree to modify the CBA to expand the season.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Discussed Viability of 18 Games Season

The commissioner also confirmed that progress is being made on the approval process of Tom Brady becoming a Raiders part owner. But there is still a little bit more work to do. However, he didn’t specify what else needs to be done. Apparently some feel there could be a conflict of interest as Brady is set to be the #1 FOX game analyst this fall. As such all announcers are given more access to team’s practices and facilities. Goodell simply said they have addressed that but didn’t clarify what was addressed or how it was addressed.

Other topics were considered in the press conference such as private equity in ownership. You can check out the video here.

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