Will the NFL Expand to an 18-Game Regular Season?

Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones believes an 18-game NFL schedule is "probably inevitable," sparking discussions about the potential impact on players, coaches, and revenue.

The NFL has been exploring the possibility of expanding its regular season from 17 to 18 games, and Dallas Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones believes it's only a matter of time.

"I'm on the competition committee. We've talked about this, knowing that it's probably inevitable," Jones told The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast.

Will the NFL Expand to an 18-Game Regular Season?

For years, the NFL has operated with a 16-game regular season, adding an extra game in 2021. Now, the league is contemplating another expansion, potentially pushing the Super Bowl to Presidents Day weekend.

Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, has expressed support for an 18-game schedule, which would mean replacing a preseason game with a regular-season game. "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," Goodell said on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Will the NFL Expand to an 18-Game Regular Season?

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has also weighed in on the topic, suggesting a unique solution to address potential concerns over player fatigue. He proposed adding an in-season bye week for the Pro Bowl, similar to the NBA All-Star break.

"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."

Will the NFL Expand to an 18-Game Regular Season?

However, an 18-game schedule would not be without its challenges. Jones acknowledged the potential for increased wear and tear on players' bodies, requiring careful roster management by general managers and coaches.

"We all know when we go to 18 games, our revenue's gonna jump, and certainly should only help in terms of the money available to pay players and get players the compensation," Jones said.

Ultimately, any change to the NFL schedule would require approval from both the owners and the NFL Players Association. But with the potential for increased revenue and the opportunity to reduce the number of meaningless preseason games, the expansion to an 18-game regular season appears to be gaining momentum.

If the NFL does make the switch to 18 games, it would join a growing number of professional sports leagues that have expanded their regular seasons in recent years. The NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball have all increased their schedules in the past decade.

Whether an 18-game schedule is the right move for the NFL remains to be seen. But with the league's constant pursuit of revenue growth and fan engagement, it's a topic that is likely to be debated for the foreseeable future.