Formal discussions between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) about moving to an 18-game regular season are not expected to start until spring 2026, according to The Washington Post. The timeline suggests that some within the league may question the need to rush into an 18-game schedule, though the possibility remains for it to be adopted.
Team owners are reportedly advocating for expanding the regular season from 17 to 18 games, with more intense discussions anticipated among owners by this summer. However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones noted that the topic was not addressed during the May owners’ meeting. The Washington Post also reports that the NFLPA does not plan to formally negotiate this issue early next year.
Both the NFL and NFLPA must agree before expanding the schedule. Owners favor the change for the potential increased revenue over the next few years. Commissioner Goodell openly expressed the league’s interest back in January, calling an 18-game season the next "logical step," and mentioned exploring a 20-game total framework including preseason and regular season games. Goodell said, "We’re staying within that 20-game framework. We went to 16 and 4, and now we went to 17 and 3. So 18 and 2 are logical steps."
The NFLPA strongly opposes this move. In a speech, NFLPA’s Lloyd Howell accused Goodell of trying to frame the narrative in support of the 18-game schedule, emphasizing that players largely reject it. Howell said, "No one wants to play the 18th game. For many, 17 games are too long." Player safety remains a primary concern, with Howell questioning the league’s claim that health and safety advances justify a longer season.
Currently, the NFLPA intends to focus on gauging player opinions through team meetings this fall rather than engage in formal discussions. The NFL has not yet pushed the union to start negotiations, despite some owners wanting the 18-game season by 2027 or 2028. Another possible timeline could be after 2029, when the league may have the option to renegotiate broadcast rights.
The last expansion of the NFL regular season occurred in 2021 when the league increased from 16 to 17 games, the first change since 1978.
Fan Take: This ongoing debate is crucial for NFL fans as it could reshape the season’s length, impacting player health and game quality. While more games might mean more football to enjoy, the added risks and potential dilution of excitement could change how fans experience the sport.
