Goodell looking toward 18-game season, more international games

[tk13]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...end-super-bowl

Goodell, during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday, shared his long-term vision, one that involves numerous changes to the season's current format.

Specifically, Goodell said he would embrace a schedule featuring 18 regular-season games and two preseason contests, a significant shift from the current 17 regular-season and three preseason contests that was implemented in 2021.

"I think we're good at 17 now," Goodell said. "But, listen, we're looking at how we continue. I'm not a fan of the preseason." Then, gesturing toward a group of fans assembled nearby, Goodell said, "And I don't think these guys like it either." He continued: "The reality is, I'd rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day. That's just picking quality. If we get to 18 and 2, that's not an unreasonable thing."

Adding an additional regular-season game could, theoretically, result in a second bye week being added, which would lengthen the regular season. But Goodell would welcome that, he said, as he envisions a Presidents Day weekend built around the Super Bowl on Sunday night.

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Goodell also spoke about a future increase to the number of games played internationally, saying he envisions as many as 16 regular-season games being played abroad, perhaps, within the next 10 years. The NFL is adding additional international markets, including Brazil this year and Spain next year.

As for whether a team or division will ever be based overseas, Goodell seemed less certain.

"Will a franchise ever happen or a division?" he said. "Maybe. I think that's beyond 10 years though."

[Rain Man]

Wait, they had a military coup in Gabon last year. I'm just now reading about it. Maybe it's not safe to go to the game that Roger will place there. I hope it's a couple of teams that are expendable, maybe a Raiders-broncos game or something.

[ThrobProng]

But Goodell would welcome that, he said, as he envisions a Presidents Day weekend built around the Super Bowl on Sunday night.

Since he's so concerned about what fans think: THE ****ING SUPER BOWL SHOULD BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by FloridaMan88

Monday after the Super Bowl falling on a holiday… Presidents’ Day… would be nice.

They just need to make the day after a national holiday. Production on that day sucks ass anyway.

[Kman34]

I heard this idea before that if you go to 18 games, You have to sit everyone 1 game along with the bye week. It would make some interesting strategy.. Sit Mahomes and the rest of the starters together for a game on offense or mix and match?

[BWillie]

Stop. Go back to 16, too.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Kman34

I heard this idea before that if you go to 18 games, You have to sit everyone 1 game along with the bye week. It would make some interesting strategy.. Sit Mahomes and the rest of the starters together for a game on offense or mix and match?

I like the concept, where the players play a 16-game season but the team plays an 18-game season.

The more I think about it, you could then get rid of bye weeks during the season. The team plays every week and you rest the players for a couple of weeks of their/coaches' choosing.

That would be fun for everyone but the fans who buy tickets to see Patrick Mahomes II and then sees him in street clothes at kickoff. But the fans are the least important part of the NFL, so the league won't care.

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by Mecca

That's the end game...start the season a bit earlier have it expand further out when not much is going on...

Think about it, 18 games means you can likely add a second bye now we have a 20 week season.

Expanded playoffs and all of the sudden the season has an extra month to make money.

great.
Like the NBA, NHL, and MLB seasons are not already over long---lets join them.

Why doesnt he just make the playoffs double elimination.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Stop. Go back to 16, too.

Yep.

Watering down the NFL has only made it worse.

Get rid of the 7th seed too.

The NFL peaked in the mid 80s through the Patriots first run.

[Pinchshot]

Well of course. An odd number of games never made sense.

At this point, it's all luck as to which teams stay healthy enough to win.

[PAChiefsGuy]

There's not enough good QBs out there to expand the league. Stupid ****ing idea.

[UteChief]

If they go to 18 games, they need to go to at least two bye weeks. Bye weeks should be scheduled prior to a team’s Thursday night game or after an international game. Rosters should be expanded and IR should probably be updated. Similar to MLB’s IL.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

If you're going to do that....then increase the roster size.

Do away with the practice squad. Everyone is active and everyone suits up.

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Do away with the practice squad. Everyone is active and everyone suits up.

Always thought they needed to expand the roster number

[ThyKingdomCome15]

17 games is too much...

[Fishels]

Originally Posted by Mecca

That's the end game...start the season a bit earlier have it expand further out when not much is going on...

Think about it, 18 games means you can likely add a second bye now we have a 20 week season.

Expanded playoffs and all of the sudden the season has an extra month to make money.

and more streaming deals because more games!