Overview
- Interim executive director David White said players have “no appetite” for an 18th regular-season game, pointing to late-season and playoff injuries as evidence of added risk.
- Roger Goodell said the league has held no formal talks with the union and stressed that expanding the schedule is not assured.
- Any move beyond 17 games would require reopening the existing collective bargaining agreement, and union leaders said they are not rushing to do so.
- Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently promoted an 18-and-2 model and annual overseas games for each team, as the NFL pursues global growth with a record nine international games in 2026.
- The NFLPA also emphasized player welfare issues tied to expansion, including a strong preference for natural grass and more consistent international travel and recovery protocols.