NFLPA interim boss gives massive update on possible 18-game season

Numerous insiders have suggested for years that it's only a matter of time before the NFL and the NFL Players Association come to an agreement for a schedule format that will involve teams playing 18 regular-season games and two preseason contests (outside of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game) per campaign. 

However, NFLPA interim executive director David White recently revealed during a chat with Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press that White hasn't yet "had any conversations with the league" about altering the length of the regular season. 

"The league has the right to bring any issue they want to the table and, presumably, to propose what they’re willing to give to receive what they want in negotiation, but we’ll see when that happens," White said about the possible expansion of the regular season. "We haven’t talked about it yet, and it certainly is not inevitable and should not be presented as such."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell already hinted about the schedule change

Per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement that expires in 2031, the union must agree to adding any games to the regular-season schedule. This past January, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made it known that he believes adding an 18th meaningful game for each season is the "logical" next step for both the league and its players. 

It was previously hinted that Goodell and league owners could look to shift to a so-called 18-and-two season format for the 2027 campaign. The NFLPA could request to receive expanded rosters, larger practice squads, a different schedule for the offseason program and an increased share of league revenue in return for accepting an 18-game regular season. 

Star NFL players have spoken out about the schedule change

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid are among noteworthy members of the NFL community who have publicly mentioned that players may also want a second bye week to participate in 18 regular-season games each campaign.

"...The NFLPA is the house of the players and that means every action that we take needs to align to our mission, which is to protect and empower the players of the National Football League," White added during his comments. "And, players need to hear that. Players need to see that in action with the way that we conduct ourselves and through our performance, and we need to remind ourselves of that."

History shows that NFL owners and the league's broadcast partners often get what they want as it pertains to the league schedule. As recently as Tuesday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out how the NFL changed its mind about scheduling games for Christmas Day 2024, even though the holiday fell on a Wednesday.

That said, it sounds like the NFL and NFLPA aren't close to giving fans an extra week of regular-season football as of the first Wednesday of September.