NFL Commissioner Goodell Says 18-Game Season 'Not Viable'

Expansion of regular season schedule faces opposition from players and owners.

Published on Feb. 2, 2026

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that expanding the regular season schedule from 16 to 18 games is 'not viable' at this time, citing concerns over player safety and the potential for increased injuries. The proposal to lengthen the season has faced pushback from both players and team owners.

Why it matters

Increasing the number of regular season games has been a long-standing goal for the NFL to generate more revenue, but the league has struggled to gain consensus from key stakeholders on the merits of an 18-game schedule given the physical toll on players.

The details

Goodell acknowledged the league has discussed expanding the regular season, but said there are significant hurdles to overcome before any changes could be implemented. Player health and safety remain the primary concerns, as an 18-game schedule would likely lead to more injuries and time missed by star players.

  • The NFL's current regular season is 16 games long.

The players

Roger Goodell

The Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL).

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What they’re saying

“We've been very focused on player health and safety. An 18-game schedule is just not viable for us at this time.”

— Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner (nhregister.com)

What’s next

The NFL and NFL Players Association will likely continue to discuss the possibility of an 18-game schedule, but significant concerns over player welfare must be addressed before any changes are made.

The takeaway

The NFL's focus on player safety has made expanding the regular season a non-starter for now, as the league struggles to balance the desire for more revenue with the health risks an 18-game schedule would pose to its athletes.