NFL insider Ian Rapoport signaled Wednesday that an expansion to an 18-game regular season is essentially inevitable, characterizing the move as "a given" in a social media post. The remark, per @RapSheet, directly addresses the intensifying debate over the future of the league's schedule and international growth strategy.
The assessment from Rapoport follows recent comments from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who stated during a press conference that an 18-game season was "not a given." While Goodell emphasized that formal discussions regarding the schedule have not yet occurred, Rapoport’s report suggests a high level of confidence within league circles that the transition will eventually take place.
Any change to the regular-season length would require a formal agreement with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Lloyd Howell, the Executive Director of the NFLPA, has previously noted that the union has not yet opened formal negotiations on the matter and remains focused on player safety and workload concerns. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement, which runs through 2030, would need to be amended or renegotiated to facilitate the addition of an 18th game.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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