Hypothesis continues concerning the NFL finally pursuing an 18-game schedule, however they’re prone to face a battle with gamers to make it occur. One veteran made that very clear this week.
Commissioner Roger Goodell stated earlier this 12 months that he was nonetheless eager about decreasing the variety of preseason video games, and prompt a possible resolution of 18 regular-season video games and two preseason video games. Colts heart Ryan Kelly, who can also be the group’s NFLPA consultant, stated Wednesday that the feedback are proof that Goodell is out of contact in the case of how powerful the precise video games are.
“Yeah, 18 video games sounds nice when Roger is saying it on Pat McAfee’s (present),” Kelly stated, through James Boyd of The Athletic. “However till you’re the one going on the market and placing a helmet on for 18 of these video games, yeah, then come discuss to me.
“They don’t know what it takes to play on Sundays. I feel it’s simply too many video games.”
Kelly added that he feels gamers could be tempted to again an 18-game schedule in the event that they got a major reduce of the extra income, however stated that house owners should make concessions too. In Kelly’s thoughts, that would embrace eliminating spring exercises and switching to a slower ramp-up later in the summertime.
The NFL is at all times going to need extra income alternatives, which is why another scheduling calls for may include an enlargement to 18 video games. The query is what gamers will need in return — and what the league could be prepared to provide them.