The NFL is discussing the addition of an 18th regular-season game as the league's popularity grows domestically and internationally, though the players' union opposes the change.[1]

NFL Players Association executive vice president Lloyd Howell stated in April 2024 that players have "no appetite whatsoever" for an 18th game, citing concerns over health and safety.[1][2]

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft predicted in October 2023 that the league would eventually adopt an 18-game schedule.[3]

Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins, a 2023 Pro Bowl selection,[4] told Fox News Digital in February 2024 that an 18th game is inevitable, saying, "It’s going to happen either way," and warning it could lead to discussions of 19 or 20 games.[5]

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who played from 2011 to 2021 primarily with the Carolina Panthers, offered a balanced view to Fox News Digital, calling the expansion "good business" for the NFL due to global demand similar to the Super Bowl.[6]

Newton suggested the move would further dilute preseason games, following the precedent set when the league expanded to 17 regular-season games starting in 2021. At that time, NFL owners approved reducing preseason games per team from four to three as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.[7][8]

The current NFL regular season consists of 17 games over an 18-week schedule, with the 2024 season concluding in January 2025 ahead of Super Bowl LIX.[7]

Sources

1. Publisher: CBS Sports
   Article: NFLPA has 'no appetite whatsoever' for 18-game season as league owners push for expansion, per report
   Publication date: April 23, 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nflpa-has-no-appetite-whatsoever-for-18-game-season-as-league-owners-push-for-expansion-per-report/
2. Publisher: NFL.com
   Article: Report: NFL owners discuss potential 18th game, no immediate changes coming
   Publication date: April 23, 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.nfl.com/news/report-nfl-owners-discuss-potential-18th-game-no-immediate-changes-coming
3. Publisher: ESPN
   Article: Robert Kraft says NFL will play 18 games in future
   Publication date: October 25, 2023
   Direct URL: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37947590/robert-kraft-says-nfl-play-18-games-future
4. Publisher: Pro-Football-Reference
   Page: Dion Dawkins
   Accessed date: October 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.profootballreference.com/players/D/DawkDi00.htm
5. Publisher: Fox News
   Article: Bills star Dion Dawkins explains his ‘counter’ to potential NFL 18th game: ‘Careers are only getting shorter’
   Publication date: February 9, 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/bills-star-dion-dawkins-explains-counter-potential-nfl-18th-game-careers-only-getting-shorter
6. Publisher: Fox News
   Article: Cam Newton makes case for NFL's potential 18th game amid players' pushback: 'It's good business'
   Publication date: February 10, 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/cam-newton-makes-case-nfl-potential-18th-game-amid-players-pushback-good-business
7. Publisher: NFL.com
   Article: NFL owners approve 17-game regular-season schedule beginning in 2021
   Publication date: March 26, 2020
   Direct URL: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-17-game-regular-season-0ap3000001075l5uqb
8. Publisher: ESPN
   Article: NFL, NFLPA agree on new CBA, approve 17-game season
   Publication date: March 15, 2020
   Direct URL: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28962337/nfl-nflpa-agree-10-year-cba-17-game-season