Aaron Rodgers has always been a huge supporter of the NFL’s international games. After witnessing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory on Sunday in the league’s first-ever game in France, the Steelers quarterback shared his thoughts on how much more could have been done with these events if the owners and the league weren’t so fixated on making money.
In his final season, Rodgers reminisced about past collective bargaining negotiations with the NFL, stating that there were missed chances to expand the appeal of international games. “The league has an incredible reach,” he said, remembering talks from the 2011 CBA about increasing the number of international games.
He mentioned that during the second CBA negotiations, there was discussion of creating an “international week” with games spread across sixteen locations and an additional bye week. This idea seems intriguing, though one might wonder how American fans would react—after all, many enjoy the convenience of attending games close to home.
Rodgers continued, “You would play sixteen regular-season games with two bye weeks—one of which could have been dedicated to international matches. I believe it would have been fantastic for football.” It’s clear he sees real value in taking the league abroad.
However, he also pointed out the irony of the current push from team owners for a seventeen-game season, ostensibly for more revenue, juxtaposed with their lack of concern for player safety when it came to organizing international games. Was that a subtle jab at the owners? Possibly.
Rodgers elaborated on the potential for expansion in various regions like Canada, Mexico, and even Brazil, as well as numerous European nations, suggesting countries such as Ireland and Spain as possible venues. There’s potential everywhere, he seems to imply, just waiting to be tapped.
He identified locations like Dubai, which have been successfully hosting sports events, as examples of where the NFL could explore new opportunities. However, he wishes the league would take travel arrangements more seriously, as they seem hesitant to enforce guidelines for teams regarding international travel.
In this context, he reflected, “I wish there would be a mandate from the league requiring teams to arrive in the host city on Sunday or Monday,” allowing them to engage with the local culture and contribute to community outreach. It’s a thoughtful idea, but he acknowledged that the league might resist due to financial concerns.
Rodgers’s comments highlight an intriguing tension: while he’s an advocate for expanding the game internationally, he also feels frustrated by what he perceives as a lack of willingness from the owners to invest in making that happen. It’s a complex situation, one that underscores the ongoing challenges within the NFL and its approach to globalization.
