NFL is close to an 18-game season and aims for every team to participate in international games, according to Robert Kraft.

NFL Moves Toward 18-Game Season

The NFL is making strides toward implementing an 18-game season, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft seems eager to see this change take place soon.

Kraft suggested that this shift might occur sooner than anticipated, hinting at an increase in international games as well. He stated, “We’re going to make the international game more important. Every team will have 18 regular season games and two preseason games. That means losing one preseason game. Each team will play one game overseas every year,” during an appearance on a Boston radio show.

Kraft further explained that these changes aim to help the league continue expanding its revenue while keeping its workforce satisfied. He mentioned, “We’re near the top in coverage. About 93 of the top 100 shows on TV are NFL games. That’s quite impressive,” noting a recent Thursday game on Amazon that attracted 31 million viewers. This level of engagement supports the idea that as long as revenue continues to grow, long-term worker satisfaction can be maintained.

Every team in the league has already participated in at least one overseas game, with the Jacksonville Jaguars leading with 14 international matchups. The push for extending to an 18-game season arose from the consideration of having the Super Bowl scheduled for the Presidents Day weekend, which could provide a day off for many the following Monday.

While discussions around establishing the day after the Super Bowl as a national holiday have occurred, no significant movement has been made in that direction.