NFL's 18-Game Season Proposal: Why Coaches Are FURIOUS and Owners Are DIVIDED! You Won't Believe the Fallout!

PHOENIX -- As the NFL convenes for its annual league meeting, the idea of expanding the regular season to 18 games is generating considerable discussion among team owners and executives. While this prospect remains years away, the recent appointment of **JC Tretter** as the new executive director of the **NFL Players Association (NFLPA)**, combined with the league's ongoing expansion of international games, has set the stage for what may become a pivotal moment in NFL history.

The conversation was sparked by remarks from **Carl Irsay-Gordon**, owner and CEO of the **Indianapolis Colts**. "I think that if we can make it work, I do think that it would be good," she said. Irsay-Gordon emphasized that while preseason games serve a purpose for team development, they do not offer the best product for fans. "The commissioner has openly said that it's not the best product that we have," she noted. The idea of reducing preseason games to two while adding regular-season contests is gaining traction, especially if it means increased revenue for players.

However, the road to an 18-game season is fraught with challenges. The **NFLPA** has publicly opposed such an expansion, echoing similar sentiments before the league moved to a 17-game regular season in 2021. Despite the union's resistance, players ultimately approved a new collective bargaining agreement that included the increase in regular-season games in a narrow vote. Any further expansion would necessitate reopening negotiations with the NFLPA, complicating matters since the current collective bargaining agreement does not expire until the end of the **2030** season.

Negotiations could require concessions from team owners. Irsay-Gordon suggested that a shortened offseason program might be one way to incentivize players. "We need to start thinking about working smarter," she said, indicating a willingness to find common ground.

Despite the challenges, support for an 18-game season appears to be growing among league owners. **Robert Kraft**, owner of the **New England Patriots**, voiced his backing for the idea, highlighting its potential benefits for the league's long-term growth and revenue generation. "Changing to 18 games, and having that real content, and being mindful of player safety, I personally would like to see us have a second bye week," Kraft stated, acknowledging the complexities involved.

Yet not all voices in the league are in favor. **Jimmy Haslam**, owner of the **Cleveland Browns**, and **Kellen Moore**, head coach of the **New Orleans Saints**, expressed concerns about the timing of such discussions. Haslam described the conversation as "a little premature," while Moore pointed out that adding more regular-season games, combined with preseason and playoff contests, could lead to an excessive number of games in a single season.

One crucial factor that might make the push for 18 games more palatable is its potential alignment with the NFL's strategy to increase the number of international games. The league is set to host a record nine international games in **2026**, including regular-season contests in **Australia** and **France**. Kraft emphasized that expanding the regular season could facilitate this international growth, saying, "Every team in the league would play a game overseas. I think it would be a lot more exciting to the fans to have an extra game rather than the way our preseason games stack up." This international expansion is not just a novelty; it presents lucrative opportunities for the NFL, allowing the league to charge additional rights fees from broadcasting partners for the extra content generated.

The engagement and viewership for international games have shown dramatic growth, as noted by **Mark Wilf**, owner and president of the **Minnesota Vikings**. "It's been proven out in terms of the viewership," he remarked, referencing his team’s successful international games in **Dublin** and **London** last season. The prospect of combining an expanded regular season with a broader international slate could significantly boost NFL revenues.

As discussions continue at this week’s meetings at the **Arizona Biltmore**, the debate around an 18-game season is still in its early stages. However, it is clear that the NFL's top brass are already laying the groundwork for what could be a transformative shift in the scheduling model. The implications of such a change would be profound, affecting player welfare, fan engagement, and the league's financial health for years to come.