Joe Burrow Proposes an 18-Game NFL Schedule with a Pro Bowl Break and Presidents' Day Super Bowl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow believes an expanded NFL season with an adjusted schedule could enhance the league's appeal and provide benefits for players.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has shared his vision for an "ideal" NFL schedule that incorporates an 18-game regular season with a unique twist. Burrow's proposal involves adding a Pro Bowl break and shifting the Super Bowl to Presidents' Day weekend, potentially enhancing fan engagement and providing players with more rest.

The NFL has been exploring the possibility of expanding the regular season from the current 17 games to 18 or even 19, and Burrow's ideas offer a fresh perspective on how to structure such a schedule. By introducing a Pro Bowl break during Week 13, the league could capitalize on the popularity of the all-star game while providing teams with a much-needed breather.

Joe Burrow Proposes an 18-Game NFL Schedule with a Pro Bowl Break and Presidents' Day Super Bowl

"I think it would be cool to have the normal bye week schedule that it is now, have it spread out, but then, like Week 13, do like the Pro Bowl break where you’re doing the 7-on-7 and all the skills challenges like the NBA does," Burrow said on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast.

Burrow believes the Pro Bowl break would boost the game's viewership and give players a chance to rest and recharge for the final stretch of the regular season.

Joe Burrow Proposes an 18-Game NFL Schedule with a Pro Bowl Break and Presidents' Day Super Bowl

"I think that would get more ratings for the Pro Bowl, and then it would also give everybody that bye week going into the last six games of the year," he added.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has previously expressed his support for an 18-game schedule, suggesting that it could replace some preseason games.

Joe Burrow Proposes an 18-Game NFL Schedule with a Pro Bowl Break and Presidents' Day Super Bowl

"I think we're good at 17 now," Goodell said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "But listen, we're looking at how we continue. I'm not a fan of the preseason. … The reality is, I'd rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day. That's just picking quality."

Goodell's plan has drawn mixed reactions from players and fans, with some expressing concerns about the increased workload for players. However, Burrow's proposal suggests that an 18-game schedule can be implemented in a way that balances competition with player safety and well-being.

By moving the Super Bowl to Presidents' Day weekend, which typically falls in February, the NFL could capitalize on a three-day holiday weekend and potentially attract a larger audience. It would also provide players with an extended break between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl.

Overall, Burrow's proposal for an 18-game NFL schedule with a Pro Bowl break and Presidents' Day Super Bowl offers an intriguing alternative to the current format. The league has yet to officially announce any plans to expand the regular season, but Burrow's ideas could shape the future of NFL scheduling and further enhance the fan experience.