NFL Coaches Admit 18-Game Seasons Take a Toll

The NFL will ultimately have an 18-game regular season When? That will be determined shortly.

However, one key takeaway from the league's past is that finances drive choices. Furthermore, incorporating an additional regular-season match brings substantial financial benefits.

The present collective bargaining agreement, signed in 2020 and valid until '30, prevents the league from increasing the number of scheduled games without discussions. Nonetheless, should the NFL strongly desire this change, the NFLPA ought to engage in negotiations instead of simply protesting. Aim to secure whatever benefits you can get.

During conversations with coaches across the league at the NFL owner’s meetings in Palm Beach, Florida on Monday—the same day when AFC coaches were accessible to the press—a common viewpoint emerged on several topics.

Having participated in the league for 16 games, it felt like an extensive season," stated Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who spent ten years as an NFL linebacker. "Playing 17 games is quite demanding, so including an additional one makes it even tougher on the athletes. Considering how much effort players put into preparing each day and every week for their matches, adding yet another game will certainly pose significant challenges.

It isn’t up to me to decide, but from my point of view and considering what these individuals have to endure and the physical toll it takes on them, it would be extremely difficult to request more from the others.

Moving between different tables, the same issue kept coming up over and over again. Even though the league usually gives routine acknowledgment to ensuring players stay as fit as they can be, financial gain ultimately takes precedence every time. Adding an 18th game would lead to a larger TV contract involving networks like CBS, Fox, Amazon, and ESPN, along with potentially introducing additional standalone games on Saturdays after the conclusion of college football seasons.

The difficulty lies in maintaining their health," stated Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. "Nonetheless, they will find a solution. I am confident they'll provide some rest for the players at some point, possibly including an extra bye week or two; we can only speculate. Our preparations may extend even until late December.

Certainly, an extension of the standard season might lead to a reduction in the number of preseason games. This was evident in 2021 when the league adopted a 17-game schedule and cut down the preseason lineup from four games to three.

After the implementation of the 18-game schedule, the preseason will shrink to just two matches. Despite this change, although coaches express concerns over player safety, they do not appear particularly troubled by the reduction in chances to assess their team’s performance.

A key factor is the increase in joint practices, which numerous individuals within the NFL consider more beneficial compared to preseason matches. Over the past few years, an increasing number of teams have been collaborating during July and August for these sessions. Notably, last summer, only the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders opted out of such collaborative training sessions.

With extended training camps lasting a whole month and the capability to orchestrate scenarios during combined practice sessions, reducing the number of preseason games to just two does not seem like an obstacle when aiming for a season with 18 games.

I believe you gain significant insights during training camp through practice sessions, irrespective of the duration, particularly when considering the inclusion of two preseason games," explained Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen. "There’s still plenty to learn there. We'll proceed accordingly based on whatever decisions are made regarding this matter. Whether the season extends to 18 games or remains at 17, I'm confident all the coaches will need to make adjustments.

Nevertheless, there are individuals who worry that the less experienced players on the team might not get sufficient opportunities to demonstrate their skills and secure their places on the roster.

During the preseason and training camps, the focus is on shaping the team," Ryans stated. "These camps offer valuable development opportunities for many young players. It’s essential to maximize these sessions and expose them to real-game scenarios. This process greatly benefits our newer talents. As for the seasoned athletes, they’ve been through this before; thus, most of their preparation happens during our collaborative practice sessions. However, our less experienced members truly require the preseason to enhance their skills.

In the end, the 17-game schedule was merely a stepping stone toward an expanded fixture list. The league has consistently aimed for this expansion. showed enthusiasm for a longer season , and the NFLPA is seemingly open to the idea.

“No matter what they toss our way, we'll handle it,” Reid stated. “I've been through this enough times to know how things unfold. Once they present us with something, we will find a solution and proceed accordingly.”

The article was initially posted on www.si.com as NFL Coaches Recognize the Impact of Extending the Regular Season to 18 Games .