Roger Goodell, the bold NFL commissioner, is making waves with a shocking proposal that could reshape football as we know it. He’s pushing for a dramatic change to the league’s schedule. And the stakes are high.
18th game on the horizon?
Goodell suggests adding an 18th game to the regular season. But there’s a catch: he’s only willing to make this change if the players agree. This bombshell idea could completely alter how football operates.
Right now, each of the 32 teams plays 17 games, plus one bye week, between September and January. Then, the top 14 teams battle it out in the postseason. But Goodell isn’t stopping there. He’s eyeing an expanded schedule, claiming it’s a “logical step” for the NFL’s future.
How the league has evolved
“We would take a preseason game away. So we would keep within that 20-game framework,” Goodell told Bloomberg. He laid out how the league has evolved: from 14 regular-season games and six preseason games to 16 and four, then 17 and three since 2021. The next natural step? 18 regular-season games and just two preseason matchups. But there’s a caveat: it all hinges on player approval.
Expanding the NFL’s global footprint
Goodell’s plan isn’t just about adding more games, though. He’s also looking to expand the NFL’s global footprint. The league could see up to eight games outside the U.S. during the 2025 season. Destinations like Madrid and London are on the table, and Goodell hopes to increase that number in the coming years. “Our goal is to reach 16 overseas games in the near future,” he said.
New conferences, new challenges
This move could spark a whole new era for the NFL. Imagine teams playing in Europe, Asia, and beyond. But Goodell isn’t rushing into it. He sees potential in creating new conferences overseas, not just one-off teams. The logistics and travel challenges are complicated, especially for European teams flying back and forth across the Atlantic.
“There are a lot of issues to work out,” Goodell admitted. “The competitive balance still needs attention.”
So what’s next? The NFL faces a tough decision ahead. Will the players agree to an 18-game season? Can the NFL expand globally while keeping the integrity of the game intact? One thing’s for sure: Goodell’s vision could take the sport to new heights – or bring about a storm of challenges. Keep an eye on this story. The NFL might never be the same again.
