The NFL Just Dropped an 18-Game Bomb, and the Players' Union Isn't Having It

The NFL owners are swinging for the fences. Robert Kraft and the ownership crew are pushing hard for an 18-game regular season starting in 2026, slashing preseason games down to just 2, and adding one international game per week to the mix. It's a massive bet that more football equals more money and a bigger global footprint. But here's the catch: the players have historically fought this exact thing tooth and nail.

What's Actually on the Table

This isn't some vague idea floating around owners' group chats anymore. The proposal is specific: expand the regular season from 17 to 18 games, cut preseason from 4 games down to 2, and throw international games into the schedule weekly. We're talking London, Mexico City, and other global markets getting NFL action on the regular. Carlie Irsay-Gordon of the Colts is particularly vocal about the financial upside, pointing to what she sees as instability in the current 17-game format. Kraft, unsurprisingly, is all in on evolution.

Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president, is emphasizing that this won't happen overnight. Market research and careful planning for these international games are non-negotiable. The league isn't just throwing darts here.

The Union's Got Concerns

The NFLPA has consistently pumped the brakes on regular season expansion. Their position has been clear: more games mean more injury risk, more wear and tear, and they want to know what players are actually getting out of this deal. Goodell has hinted at these kinds of moves before, but actually pulling the trigger is another story entirely.

Before any of this becomes reality, the NFL and the players' union need to hash out the details. We're talking player compensation, roster sizes, safety protocols, the whole nine yards. Those negotiations are going to determine whether this actually happens in 2026 or gets shelved.

The ambition is real. The money motivation is real. But so are the legitimate questions about whether 18 games is genuinely good for the product on the field or just good for the balance sheet. Buckle in, 12s. This conversation is just getting started.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.