NFL Owners Favor 18th Regular-Season Game, With Key Conditions

Kraft and Irsay-Gordon support adding an 18th game, but want changes to preseason and international play

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with sharp planes of blue, green, and orange representing the dynamic action on the field.The proposed 18th NFL regular-season game sparks debate over the league's future schedule and player welfare.Indianapolis Today

NFL owners, including Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots and Carlie Irsay-Gordon of the Indianapolis Colts, are in favor of adding an 18th regular-season game to the schedule. However, Kraft has proposed several conditions, including a second bye week for teams, reducing preseason games from three to two, and requiring all teams to play at least one international game per season.

Why it matters

The potential addition of an 18th regular-season game has been a topic of discussion for years, as the NFL looks to expand its schedule and generate more revenue. While owners are in favor, the NFL Players' Association has expressed resistance, citing concerns over player health and safety. The negotiations around this issue could have significant implications for the future of the league.

The details

At the 2026 NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, Kraft and Irsay-Gordon both voiced support for an 18th regular-season game. Kraft's conditions include a second bye week for teams, reducing preseason games from three to two, and requiring all teams to play at least one international game per season. Irsay-Gordon also agreed that preseason should be shortened, though she believes it is still important for team development. The NFL Players' Association has previously stated they have 'no appetite' for an 18th game, and with a new executive director, JC Tretter, negotiations on this issue and a new media rights contract could be ongoing.

  • The 2026 NFL owners meetings are currently underway in Phoenix.
  • Earlier this year, the NFL Players' Association noted at the Super Bowl that they have 'no appetite' for an 18th regular-season game.
  • Pro Football Talk reported that some support for implementing an 18th game could come as soon as the 2027 season.

The players

Robert Kraft

Owner of the New England Patriots, who supports an 18th regular-season game but with certain conditions.

Carlie Irsay-Gordon

Owner of the Indianapolis Colts, who also supports an 18th regular-season game and agrees that preseason should be shortened.

JC Tretter

The newly elected executive director of the NFL Players' Association, who will be involved in negotiations around an 18th game and a new media rights contract.

Roger Goodell

The NFL Commissioner, who has noted in the past that an 18th game is 'not a given.'

Dion Dawkins

Buffalo Bills left tackle, who believes an 18th game 'is going to happen either way' and wants to ensure players are properly taken care of financially.

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What they’re saying

“Preseason, is, as far as the fan product goes, I know the commissioner's been open that it's not the best product that we have. I would say, for development of our team, I don't think we can get rid of it.”

— Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Indianapolis Colts Owner

“Our contracts aren't fully guaranteed. There's good players, there's average players, there's players that are just making it by. As long as guys are taken care of the way they're supposed to, this is our life. We're athletes, and not that I'm here for it, it's going to happen either way – [an] 18th game. And then 20 years later, guess what? We're talking about a 19th, then we'll be talking about a 20th.… Then it's like, 'Yeah, we are combat athletes all year long.'”

— Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Left Tackle

What’s next

Negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Players' Association around an 18th regular-season game and a new media rights contract are expected to be ongoing, with the potential for an 18th game to be implemented as soon as the 2027 season.

The takeaway

The potential addition of an 18th regular-season game in the NFL is a complex issue, with owners generally in favor but players expressing concerns over health and safety. The negotiations around this proposal, as well as changes to preseason and international play, will be closely watched as the league looks to balance revenue growth with the well-being of its players.