NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he would replace a preseason game with a regular-season game “any day” while discussing potential changes to the league’s schedule.
Goodell even floated the idea of an 18-game regular season and a shortened preseason during an appearance on Detroit’s “The Pat McAfee Show” — home to the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I think we’re good with 17 games now, but look, we’re still figuring out how we continue,” Goodell said when McAfee asked if there were plans to continue increasing the number of games played over the course of the year. just one season or add another week off to expand exposure.
ahead of the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 26, 2024. X Show/Pat McAfee
“I’m not a fan of pre-season. I don’t think we need a pre-season. …I just don’t buy it and I don’t think these guys (the fans) like it either.
“…But the reality is I’d rather trade a preseason game for a regular season game any day. It’s just a question of quality, isn’t it. So if we get to 18 games (regular season) and two (preseason), that’s not an unreasonable thing to do.
Goodell even went so far as to suggest a possible 18-game schedule, with Super Bowl weekend falling on Presidents Day weekend, which allowed many fans to have the Monday off after the great match.
The expanded schedule means more money for the NFL, largely through television revenue and ticket sales.
Preseason tickets are half the price of regular season tickets, Goodell said.
The NFL has gradually expanded its schedule since 2020, when the league went from 12 playoff teams to 14, which added two additional playoff games.
The following year, the league increased the schedule from 16 regular season games to 17.
Goodell went on to explain that the NFL is relying more on replay assist technology this upcoming season, as part of a larger conversation about officiating across several leagues.
The commissioner’s comments came the same day the NFL announced players would be allowed to wear Guardian Caps — soft, padded caps worn over football helmets — in games this season.
Players in positions wearing caps saw a 52 percent decrease in concussions, according to the league.
New York Post
