What are the potential financial implications of adding an 18th game to the NFL’s regular season? How might the timeline set by the 2029 deadline affect negotiations between the NFL and the players’ union? What key factors are contributing to the NFL Players Association’s resistance to expanding the regular season? What are some of the major proposals being considered during the upcoming league meetings in Florida? How do player sentiments about the length of the season impact the negotiations surrounding the proposed 18th game? What changes are being proposed to the current kickoff setup, and what is their intended effect on player safety?
At some point, substantive conversations have to begin about adding an 18th game to the NFL’s regular season. Commissioner Roger Goodell has openly stated that he wants to pursue it, team owners clearly want it for their financial bottom line, and there is an artificial 2029 deadline in place — which is when the league can opt out of current domestic media rights contracts, which Goodell and the owners believe are underpriced. The only question is when the league dives in on an effort to expand the regular season.
That time appears to be here.
Multiple league and player’s union sources have told Yahoo Sports they believe Goodell and the owners will begin to make more assertive efforts at adding an 18th game to the NFL’s regular season starting this summer. And according to two high-level team executives, they believe talks about that will intensify at next week’s spring meetings in Florida.
“Everyone understands consensus-building time is coming for both [the league and NFL Players Association],” one league executive said. “It’s going to take time to get to [negotiations] opening a CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) and rolling up sleeves on whatever gets put onto the table. It might take a year or two, but you really can’t do that without a broader conversation [amongst owners]. I think that starts to get some momentum in Florida.”
The thorniest issue that is expected to be a tug-of-war amongst the owners is whether the league as a whole is willing to budge on the current revenue split, which pays out 48 percent of all football-related revenue to players, with a maximum split of 48.8 percent based on the performance of media rights contracts. The players have long sought to fight their way back to a 50-50 revenue split with the league’s owners. It’s believed that will once again be a union goal if they were to agree to reopen the CBA and add an 18th game to the regular season.
At the moment, union leaders know the NFL owners are on a clock. If the league wants to opt out of its current rights deal in 2029, the profit-maximizing approach would be to do so with an 18-game regular season slate cemented. Which means that there’s a diminishing window to make that happen with each passing year. And thus far, the NFLPA’s willingness to embrace an 18th game appears to be going in the wrong direction. In the summer of 2024, the union’s executive director, Lloyd Howell suggested an open stance on negotiating an additional game, even going so far as to call the expansion “attractive.” But that stance appeared to take a noticeable shift in February, falling back into the union’s historical hard-line approach of saying “no” when it comes to more games.
“Right now when I have talked to players over the last two seasons, no one wants to play an 18th game,” Howell said at the union’s annual press conference during Super Bowl week. “No one. 17 games, for many of the guys, is too long.”
Whether that’s just Howell taking up a more firm stance to create leverage for trade talks remains to be seen. But there has clearly been an acceptance inside the union that the league will start putting more pressure on talks beginning this summer. And the next stride toward that will likely be talks amongst owners next week.
Aside from that, there is a wide array of other topics and potential votes on the table, with at least 24 of the 32 teams (75 percent) needing to agree on a rule change or new rule for it to pass. Here’s my vantage on what I believe are the key discussions …
This would ban the play the Philadelphia Eagles have perfected, which is essentially a rugby-style scrum that pushes a player forward for yardage. Some teams hate it (like the Green Bay Packers, who proposed it), complaining there is no real strategy involved in the play, while others disagree.
Taking the temperature: It’s currently not clear whether there are votes to pass a ban. But I do believe it’s closer to a ban than ever before.
Making dynamic kickoff permanent, moving touchbacks and expanding onside kick parameters encompass several kickoff changes. First would be making the dynamic kickoff setup from 2024 a permanent design. The second would move the opposing touchback starting point from the 30 to the 35-yard line. And the third would open up the ability for a team to declare an onside kick at any point in a game, so long as that team is trailing.
The overarching goal of creating the dynamic kickoff was to cut down the significant rate of injury occurring on that play. That was successful, with 2024 data showcasing an injury rate on kickoffs that was essentially halved. The movement of the touchback spot would be intended to encourage kicking teams to lean into kicks resulting in returns rather than resulting in touchbacks. The onside kick alteration would simply allow for more strategic use of the play over the course of an entire game, rather than walling it off into the fourth quarter.
Taking the temperature: I believe there is enough support for all three of these measures to pass.
This would allow free agents and prospective teams to make one phone call or have a video conference during the legal tampering period, and also to prepare travel with players once they arrive at a contract agreement. Effectively, this is aimed at improving the process of courting free agents and then transitioning them into the fold, as well as letting players talk directly to a team rather than having information or questions processed only through their agent.
Taking the temperature: I believe there is enough support for this to pass.
This proposal from the Detroit Lions would remove the five-yard penalty and automatic first down that is currently awarded for defensive holding and illegal contact. The change would make such infractions only a standard five-yard penalty with no first down awarded unless the penalty yardage advanced the ball into first-down territory.
Taking the temperature: I do not believe there is enough support for this to pass.
Altering playoff seeding to reward best overall records rather than division winners is another Lions proposal. This would change the current playoff seeding format, removing automatic home games for division winners and instead awarding home games based off of overall record. The No. 1 seed would still get a bye and home-field advantage throughout their conference playoff tiers, but the remaining home playoff games would be awarded based on overall record rather than division winners.
Taking the temperature: I do not believe there is enough support for this to pass.
The league’s meetings officially kick off on Sunday in Palm Beach, Florida.
NFL Owners Meetings Primer: 18-Game Season, Banning Tush-Push, Kickoff Changes Among Buzzy Discussions
As the NFL offseason rolls on, the anticipation for the annual owners meetings heightens. This year’s gathering, set against a backdrop of compelling on-field drama and off-field controversies, is sure to stir excitement and debate among fans, players, and stakeholders alike. Notably, key topics such as the potential expansion to an 18-game season, the controversial "tush-push" play, and modifications to kickoff rules are top of mind as team owners convene.
The 18-Game Season Debate
One of the most significant discussions on the table is the prospect of adopting an 18-game regular season. The NFL currently plays a 17-game schedule, a format that was implemented in 2021. Advocates for an 18-game season argue that the additional game would provide more excitement and engagement for fans, all while generating increased revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting rights. However, this proposal is met with a slew of concerns.
First and foremost, the health and safety of players are paramount. An extended season puts additional strain on athletes, raising the risk of injuries that could impact long-term careers. The NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) has long advocated for player welfare, and many players have voiced their opposition to an 18-game schedule. They argue that while the league’s owners focus on expansion of profit margins, the physical toll on the players is significant and should not be overlooked.
As discussions unfold, owners will have to balance the economic benefits of a longer season against the potential backlash from players and fans who prioritize the integrity of the game and player safety. Reactions to possible schedule adjustments will inevitably impact the approval process for any change.
The Tush-Push Controversy
Another punchy topic for the owners’ meetings is the increasingly contentious "tush-push" play, which has gained notoriety for its effectiveness during short-yardage situations. The play, made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles, involves the quarterback being pushed forward by teammates in an attempt to gain the extra yards needed for a first down or a touchdown.
While fans have celebrated its efficiency, players, coaches, and some owners are concerned about the safety implications of such plays. Critics argue that the play could lead to higher injury rates, particularly for linemen and the quarterback. It has sparked discussions about whether the league should implement rules to ban the maneuver altogether, citing that it promotes dangerous pile-ups and increases the risk of injury.
The potential banning of the tush-push reflects a larger dilemma within the NFL: how to evolve the rules of the game in a way that maintains its competitive spirit while keeping player safety at the forefront. As fans relish the high-octane styles of play, owners and league officials must tread carefully to ensure that the essence of football remains intact while embracing new strategies.
Changes to Kickoff Rules
The kickoff has long been a focal point of safety discussions, and owners are expected to revisit potential changes to kickoff rules. With the NFL’s ongoing commitment to reducing injuries, particularly concussions, these discussions may lead to amendments intended to promote player safety without sacrificing the excitement that kickoffs can generate.
Recent years have seen experimentation with rules such as the elimination of the traditional "wedge" formation and adjustments to how players can engage during kickoffs. Any proposed changes at this year’s meeting could further reshape the kickoff experience, whether that includes adjusting the distance of the kickoff line or altering the formations allowed.
Changes to kickoff rules are particularly significant given the NFL’s emphasis on reducing injuries; however, they also come with concerns of diminishing the game’s physicality and entertainment value. The fine line between keeping the play dynamic and protecting players will be a critical topic of debate.
Conclusion
As NFL team owners prepare to gather for their annual meetings, the outcomes of these discussions carry far-reaching implications for the league’s future. The potential shift to an 18-game season, the fate of the widely-discussed tush-push play, and the evolving kickoff rules will not just influence the product on the field but will also set a precedent for how the NFL approaches player health, fan engagement, and the integrity of the game.
With the balance of tradition and innovation at the forefront, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how the discussions unfold. These meetings not only shape the immediate future of the NFL but also draw a blueprint for how the league evolves and adapts in an ever-changing sports landscape. As the world tunes in, the coming days promise to be pivotal for the NFL’s continued growth and the safeguarding of its core values.
During the NFL owners meetings, several important topics are expected to generate significant discussion among team owners and executives. One of the hot-button issues is the potential for an 18-game regular season. This proposal aims to enhance fan engagement and increase revenue, but it comes with concerns regarding player safety and the overall impact on the game.
Another critical topic on the agenda is the debate surrounding the “tush-push” play, a strategy that involves a quarterback being pushed by other players to gain short yards. Some owners advocate for banning it due to safety concerns and the potential for it to disrupt the spirit of the game.
In addition to these significant issues, potential changes to kickoff rules are being considered. This could include modifications aimed at minimizing injuries and improving player safety during one of the more dangerous plays in football.
Overall, the discussions at these meetings will likely shape the landscape of the NFL for the upcoming seasons, affecting how the game is played and enjoyed by fans.