On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
In the lead-in to the recent league meetings, it was reported talks on expanding the NFL schedule to 18 regular-season games would likely be a topic of serious discussion. That did not prove to be the case, but the universal expectation remains that adding one regular-season contest is a goal the league will accomplish soon.
“I would say that there’s a lot of talk about it,” Cowboys owner (and strong proponent of an 18-game slate) Jerry Jones said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post. “But certainly it’s in the future…. But it wasn’t really a main topic [at this year’s league meetings].”
The league is expected to ramp up efforts on working out an arrangement to implement an 18-game schedule this offseason. Any agreement on that front needs to be collectively bargained, and the current CBA runs through the 2030 campaign. A deal could be reached well before that point, though, and it would come as no surprise if negotiations with the NFLPA picked up with a more firm target in place.
On that point, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports the 2027 season is viewed as the earliest point at which an 18-game schedule could be instituted. That falls in line with previous indications regarding schedule expansion as well as the views of many other observers. The date for each of the next two Super Bowls is already locked in, but that is not the case for the one which will conclude the 2027 season. Finalizing the details for Super Bowl LXII could very well wait until a new scheduling agreement is in place. The timing of new media rights agreements (which could be re-negotiated after the 2029 campaign) also looms as a factor in this situation.
The possibility of removing one exhibition contest and adding a second bye week to the season has been raised as part of the discussion on scheduling changes. Doing each of those — along with starting the year on Labor Day weekend — would line up the Super Bowl on Presidents Day, something commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken in favor of. In addition to adding a bye week (something viewed as “non-negotiable” from its perspective), the union has been linked to seeking concessions on issues like compensation, travel and roster size to get finalize an agreement.
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell initially struck a tone suggesting he would be open to discussing an expanded schedule, but more recently he has publicly confirmed there is no appetite for the move amongst players. In spite of that, Jones’ report (which notes no formal presentation was made to owners about a revised schedule) states the matter of 18 games was treated as “a fait accompli” at the league meetings. Alterations to the offseason setup, including a shortened or removed voluntary workout program and a longer training-camp period, could accompany a new schedule format.
Jones adds that tanking remains a potential concern for the NFL. Lengthening the season would open the door to additional games amongst teams eyeing the coming draft more than a competitive end to the campaign. That factor has informed matters like the hesitation to move back the trade deadline, one of many matters which could be subject to change in the event an 18-game schedule were to come into existence. While nothing is imminent on that front, 2027 represents a logical timeframe for all parties involved to keep in mind.
More must-reads:
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praises revamped playoff proposal
- Roger Goodell reportedly has strong opinion about tush push
- The 'Previous head coach for each NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Three teams that should take a flier on Odell Beckham Jr. for the 2025 season
Former New York Giants superstar and current free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. emerged in the headlines on Tuesday afternoon. The 32-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down a fake report that he was retiring from the NFL. Beckham spent the 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins in a very limited role, recording just nine receptions for 55 yards in nine games. However, he was a solid contributor as a Baltimore Raven the year prior, showing that he can still provide some production at this point in his career. Given that OBJ has no interest in calling it quits just yet, let’s look at three teams that should take a shot on the three-time Pro Bowler to see how much juice he’s got left in him. New York Giants How about a reunion in the Big Apple? It would only be fitting for Beckham to finish his career in the place where it all started. Superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers runs the show on offense, but after that, there are plenty of question marks. Wide receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton slot in as solid options behind Nabers, but it would not hurt to add a veteran like Beckham into the mix. He knows what it's like playing in such a big market and could mentor the Giants' young offensive weapons while providing some depth production when called upon. Las Vegas Raiders There may not be a team with more of a need at the wide receiver position than the Las Vegas Raiders. The targets are understandably funneled to superstar tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, but they need help beyond those two. Third-year wide receiver Tre Tucker and rookie wideouts Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. are next in line. While those three may play big roles right from the start, the Raiders could certainly use another experienced pass-catcher, and Beckham is a nice option to fill that role. Perhaps he even shows himself to be worthy of the WR2 spot. Buffalo Bills The third team that could be in play for Beckham is the Buffalo Bills. With Josh Allen in his prime, they need to continue putting weapons around him whenever possible. Second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman and free-agent signing Joshua Palmer are atop the depth chart in Buffalo, while reliable wideout Khalil Shakir is nicked up with an ankle injury. Longtime Carolina Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel also remains in the mix but is dealing with a hamstring ailment and has had injury woes in the past. Outside of Shakir, it's hard to know what you're going to get from the rest of the position group. Beckham will likely want to join a contender or somewhere he can play more of a factor than he did with the Dolphins in 2024-25, so keep an eye on the Bills.
Shohei Ohtani named in lawsuit regarding $240M real estate project
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been named in a lawsuit that was filed in Hawaii on Friday. Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are being sued by a real estate investor and a broker in Hawaii who have accused Ohtani and Balelo of sabotaging a $240M real estate deal for a development on the Big Island. According to court documents that were obtained by Jimmy Golen of The Associated Press, real estate developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto say Ohtani and Balelo deliberately had them removed from the project “for no reason other than their own financial self-interest.” The lawsuit claims Ohtani was brought into the deal for his promotional value and that he and his agent pushed the founders of the project out using “threats and baseless legal claims.” “Defendants must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiffs bring this suit to expose Defendants’ misconduct and to ensure that the rules of contract, fair dealing, and accountability apply equally to all — celebrity or not.” Hayes and Matsumoto have also accused Ohtani and Balelo of trying to push them out of a similar neighboring development project. The $240M Big Island development is located along Hapuna Beach, which is rated one of the top beaches in the world. Matsumoto was supposed to be the listing agent for the properties, which average more than $17.3M each. A brochure for the project stated that Ohtani, who was called “Japan’s Babe Ruth” has committed to buying one of the 14 properties and acting as a “celebrity spokesperson” for the development. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700M contract with the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season. The two-way star is having another monster year with a .284 average, 42 home runs, 78 RBI and a 1.013 OPS entering Tuesday. Ohtani has also returned to pitching this season and has a 2.37 ERA across 19 innings. Ohtani was also connected to a massive gambling scandal last year, though Major League Baseball determined that the 31-year-old was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Browns HC sends message to Myles Garrett after latest speeding incident
Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett became the subject of headlines when it was learned that he was cited for driving 100 mph in a 60 mph zone on an interstate in a Cleveland suburb several hours after the Browns opened the preseason with a 30-10 win at the Carolina Panthers on Friday night. While speaking with reporters ahead of the club's joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday morning, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski sent a clear message regarding his feelings about Garrett's latest speeding incident. "Coming from a team leader, extremely disappointing," Stefanski said about Garrett, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "It's been addressed with Myles -- with the football team. He needs to slow down for his safety and the safety of others." Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer mentioned that Garrett has had at least eight speeding citations in Northeast Ohio since Cleveland made him the first overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. Back in the fall of 2022, Garrett missed a game after he was involved in a single-car accident following a team practice. The Ohio State Highway Patrol ultimately issued Garrett a citation following that crash after it was determined he was using an "unsafe speed for the type of roadway being traveled." Cabot added that Stefanski declined to say if Garrett will be disciplined this summer. Earlier in the week, Cabot wrote that Garrett could "be fined for conduct detrimental to the team." Back in early February, Garrett requested a trade from the Browns coming off the club's 3-14 season. However, he later accepted a four-year, $160M contract extension that included $123.5M guaranteed to stay with the organization. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam revealed during the NFL owners meetings in the spring that he had "challenged" Garrett "to become a real leader of the team." Haslam made that comment after a March report shared that it's "well known within the Browns that Garrett is frequently late to the facility" and "has skipped mandatory team activities on multiple occasions." It remains to be seen how the 29-year-old will respond to Stefanski's comments about an incident that occurred after Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was cited for speeding twice in June.
Bills turn focus to Super Bowl pursuit by ending James Cook contract saga
As soon as it was confirmed on Tuesday that Buffalo Bills running back James Cook planned to resume practicing because things had "changed" regarding his desire for a contract extension, it seemed to be a matter of when and not if fans would learn that the two sides had come to terms on an agreement. It turns out Cook had millions of reasons to suit up on Aug. 12. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday morning that Cook has received a four-year, $48M contract extension that includes $30M guaranteed from the Bills. According to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, the $30M guarantee is the most handed to a running back over the past five years. Cook was in the final year of his rookie deal and stopped participating in training-camp practices as part of a hold-in earlier in August. However, his agent later insisted that the 25-year-old "only wants to be a Buffalo Bill" and would continue "working toward" a resolution through the preseason. Last week, Buffalo quarterback and reigning regular-season Most Valuable Player Josh Allen directly said that he "desperately" wanted to have Cook back on the practice field and in the lineup. That's understandable considering what's expected of the 2025 Bills. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to list the Bills and Baltimore Ravens as the co-favorites at +600 betting odds to win Super Bowl LX this coming February. Meanwhile, Cook was responsible for the ninth-most regular-season rushing yards (2,131) in the league over the past two campaigns. He, Ravens star Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns each last season. In the end, trading Cook for a future draft asset never made much sense for a Bills team that is looking to do more than simply qualify for the next postseason tournament. "James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill," agent Zac Hiller told Schefter. "We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen." With the Cook saga now behind them, the Bills can fully focus on preparing for their Week 1 "Sunday Night Football" showdown with the Ravens that will take place at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium on Sept. 7.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
