The NFL and NFL Player Association are thinking about adding yet another gamer to the regular-season schedule. In fact, discussions on the idea between the sides are at a "high level," players union executive director Lloyd Howell told the Washington Post, via ESPN.
This is an idea that was broached by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this year. Now, perhaps, it will become a reality.
"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. "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."
Goodell first shared his vision for an 18-game schedule during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. The league went from 16 to 17 games in 2021.
"Many of our players have said, 'They're going to ask for more games,'" Howell said of the NFL union. "So one of the things you learn in business is this applies back to the obvious — I know you're going to ask for more games because that ... generates more money. And to be fair, don't we all want to grow the pie?
"So it's the manner in which the pie grows, and what's the trade-off in there so that we don't just play another game but all these other dimensions that I mentioned also get addressed?"
