NFL Commissioner Goodell just said on the Pat McAffe show that he's no fan of pre-season games...

[brush]

and would rather go from 17 regular season games with 3 pre-season ones to 18 regular season games and 2 pre-season ones.

Something to think about as that equals the same number of games/wear and tear on player bodies as we have now with the pre-season bs games.

What does everyone think? I think it's just inevitable that they'll get to 20 games in the not to distance future.

[rsdsharp]

1. It's not the same wear and tear. Starters aren't playing the entire game in preseason games,

at least in the early games. It would also mean lower draft choices, and undrafted free agents wouldn’t get much chance to show what they can do in game situations.

[brush]

2. True enough. The NFL doesn't give a shit about all that...just about what's best for the NFL.

They're thinking, why fuck around, let's just round the season off to 20 reagular season games.

Bet on it.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. They Don't Play Some Of Those Games At All

It's even worse than you describe.
Almost no starters played the 4 games (when there were 4) and hardly anyone plays the third now.
Those games are for the coaches to decide which of the 35th through 65th players are going to make the team.
The first 22 starters, kickers, kick coverage wings & first reserve for every unit is known halfway through training camp.
So, it's more than not playing the entire game. Last year Mahommes played 28 minutes the entire preseason! Same here in Chicago with DJ Moore & Cole Kmet. If I missed the 1st series, I never saw them.
These games are a ripoff & should be eliminated.
The coaches would learn as much from intersquad scimmages.

[Auggie]

3. I've heard coaches say they only need two preseason games to prepare for a season

No to lengthening the season. CTE isn't worth it. The players union should walk if it ever gets that far.

[brush]

6. I agree. There's been a slow progression through history though from...

12 to 14 to 16 to 17...it seems inevitable that it's going to 18 soon and then 20. The NFL is such a powerful moneymaker for the networks, it won't be stopped...players' health be damned. They're replaceable.

There's a new crop of rookies from college every year.

[MyOwnPeace]

4. It would be a loss.....

of opportunity for those drafted later as well as undrafted free agents to have a chance to prove that somebody ‘messed up’ in their draft selections.
You DO know that Tom Brady was a 6th round pick, right?
Without preseason games - who would have known that he would end up being the GOAT?

[bluedigger]

5. Mixed feelings.

On the one hand, it may make it harder for late rounders and UDFAs to make rosters. On the other hand, increased injuries may require an expanded roster, negating the first point. I don't see them expanding to 20 games, though. Unless they begin the season the First of August. That'll be fun in Miami.

[Auggie]

7. BTW: there's potential to shorten the careers of a lot of fan favorites too

[brush]

8. Oh, I agree. I thought the 14-game season was perfect as the pros are grown men with adult bodies...

that could withstand the longer season as opposed to the then 10-game high school and college seasons.

The league had come into its own in the national consciousness big-time with Monday Nighf Football, Howard Cosell, Dandy Don and Frank Gifford at the mics. The post-season didn't encroached into the basketball season and baseball spring. training yet.

The Raiders and Gowboys debated as to which was the winningest team in the league.

It wasn't to be so though. Greed of more games and layers of playoffs won out. It will always be thus I'm afraid.

[Bristlecone]

9. Which exclusive streaming service would get that extra game I wonder?

F that 3/4 zip sweatered douche

[Auggie]

10. +1