Roger Goodell addresses timeline for NFL moving to 18-game regular season

Even with the NFL recently moving the regular season to 17 games, there has been discussion of adding another one. At some point, it feels like the preseason will be shortened to two while 18 games are played. Nobody knows exactly when the decision will come but is a big talking about for the league.

On Monday, Roger Goodell addressed the timeline of moving to 18 games. As of now, Goodell says there have not been formal conversations between the NFL and the NFLPA at the comment. But he does believe there is some work to be done before getting serious about the idea.

“We haven’t had any formal negotiating sessions about an extension. I’m certain it will come up in the context of that in some fashion. It’s something that (NFLPA executive director) Lloyd (Howell) and I have had informal conversations about. But there is a lot of work to be done.”

While an 18-game season might be a popular topic, Goodell does not want it to rise above other issues the NFL and NFLPA face in the CBA. All of the potential talking points have the same level of importance to him.

“They come up in the context of broader CBA issues,” Goodell said of expanding the regular season. “I don’t think you isolate one of those issues over many others. It will be a part of formal discussions when we get there.”

Goodell later referenced the move from 16 to 17 ahead of the 2020 season. He states how players will have a say in whether or not the league gets to add a game. If they are in favor, the NFL could move forward but if there is an opposition, the regular season would stay 17.

Total number of preseason games plays a role too. Expanding would mean only two preseason contests would be played before getting into competitive matchups.

The continued improvement of safety was a point of emphasis for the commissioner as well. Concussions around the NFL were at an all-time low during the 2024 season. It was a drop of 17% compared to 2023 with the use of improved helmets and players putting on guardian caps.

Given Goodell mentioned the CBA, the current deal between the two parties is set to run through the 2030 season. A 10-year deal was signed back in 2020 — the same time when the NFL decided to implement 17 games.