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NFLPA exec says it could happen sooner rather than later.
The NFL Players Association and the National Football League have entered high-level discussions regarding the potential shift to an 18-game regular season. While these talks have not yet transitioned into formal negotiations, the dialogue signifies a significant step forward in the ongoing pursuit of extending the NFL season beyond its current format.
Significant: The NFL and NFLPA have started high-level discussions about potentially implementing an 18-game regular season, according to @MarkMaske. NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell left the door open that an agreement could be reached before the current CBA expires.
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— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 23, 2024
Lloyd Howell, the executive director of the NFLPA, revealed insights into these discussions during a recent meeting with representatives at The Washington Post. He emphasized the need for a thorough exploration of the implications of an 18-game season, touching upon various factors such as economic considerations, health and safety concerns, and potential adjustments to the existing structure.
“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 said.
Howell also shed some light on the multifaceted nature of the discussions, emphasizing the need to consider various factors beyond just the number of games in a season. He said that issues such as practice squad size, roster size, and compensation will have to be discussed and agreed upon by the two entities.
Howell expressed his intention to talk with players on this issue in upcoming meetings, emphasizing the importance of aligning player interests with prospective negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA. The collective bargaining agreement, set to expire after the 2030 season, currently prohibits the unilateral extension of the regular season to 18 games without mutual consent. He also acknowledged the diverse perspectives within the league, saying that the impact of an additional game varies based on players’ experience levels and injury histories.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been vocal about his preference for an 18-game season, emphasizing the potential trade-off of reducing preseason games. Goodell’s stance has garnered support from many team owners who advocate for a shift to an 18-game season paired with a reduction in preseason contests.
While the prospect of an expanded season raises both excitement and concerns within the NFL community, players like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow have voiced the need for additional bye weeks to accommodate the extended season.
As the NFL navigates the complexities of potentially transitioning to an 18-game season, the ongoing dialogue between the league, owners, and players will be crucial in shaping the future of the league. But, according to Howell, that future could come well before 2030.
“The simple fact of the matter is when you have a growing enterprise and there are opportunities within that intervening period of time where progress could be made and you could tweak the existing CBA legal document, why wouldn’t you want to do that?” Howell told The Washington Post, leaving open the possibility of adding an 18th game before the current collective bargaining agreement expires. “So, whether it’s field surface, whether it’s the [offseason] schedule, if you want to call that formal — I call it bargaining. I call it amendments. I call it updates to what is now a living document called a CBA. Yeah, I want to be able to have our membership in a position to jump on it when we can, not wait until their playing days are done and it’s like you go through the cycle all over again.”