NFLPA interim executive director David White stated that NFL players "have no appetite" for an 18-game regular season schedule, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
The comments highlight a growing tension between the league's desire for expansion and the players' concerns regarding health and safety. The NFL recently transitioned from a 16-game to a 17-game regular season in 2021, a move that was met with mixed reactions from the player base. Since then, league executives and several owners have hinted at the possibility of moving to an 18-game format, potentially in exchange for removing a preseason game.
However, White’s remarks suggest that the union is not currently open to those trade-offs. The physical toll of the existing schedule remains a top priority for the NFLPA leadership as they represent the interests of the players in labor discussions. Any change to the season length would likely require significant negotiations and concessions between the union and the league before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
