Commissioner Roger Goodell has been increasingly vocal about the idea, calling it a “logical step” earlier this year, and sources say this week’s meetings will mark the start of “more assertive efforts” to explore the change.
According to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, two league executives believe talks around expansion will intensify, especially as the NFL eyes future broadcast deals that could benefit from additional regular-season games.
Many believe that the #NFL trending toward an 18 game season
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 29, 2025
While the league's interest in expansion is clear, the NFL Players Association remains skeptical. At the NFLPA’s February press conference, executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. pushed back against the idea, stating,
“No one wants to play an 18th game. Seventeen games is already, for many of the guys, too long.” He cited injury concerns and the toll a longer season takes on players’ bodies.
Still, Howell previously called the concept “attractive” and admitted there are multiple factors—such as roster size, bye weeks, and international travel—that would have to be addressed in any negotiations.
. @CharlesRobinson reports that Roger Goodell and NFL owners will discuss the possibility of adding an 18th game to the regular season at next week's NFL Owners Meetings.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 29, 2025
Would you want to see 18 regular season games? 👀 pic.twitter.com/WnG6TIRwgx
The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2030 season, meaning no changes are required until 2031.
However, owners are reportedly eager to reach an agreement sooner. “Everyone understands consensus-building time is coming,” one executive told Robinson. Though the players hold leverage for now, some believe the league could eventually use the threat of a lockout to force the issue.
For now, momentum is building, and Palm Beach could be the first major step toward an 18-game NFL season.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
