NFL Owners Support 18-Game Schedule with Caveats

Kraft and Irsay-Gordon want preseason reduced, additional bye week added

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting an American football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the sport's intensity and complexity.NFL owners propose an 18-game schedule, but with player health safeguards in mind.Indianapolis Today

Several NFL team owners, including Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots and Carlie Irsay-Gordon of the Indianapolis Colts, have expressed support for expanding the regular season to 18 games. However, they want to see additional measures taken, such as reducing the preseason from three games to two and adding another bye week to the schedule.

Why it matters

The potential move to an 18-game schedule has been a topic of discussion for years, with the NFL and players' union needing to negotiate the details. Owners believe it could improve the overall product, but player health and safety concerns remain a key consideration.

The details

Kraft wants every team to play an international game as part of an 18-game schedule, while Irsay-Gordon pointed out that the current 17-game slate means some teams get seven home games instead of eight during a season. Both owners also want to see the preseason reduced, though Irsay-Gordon acknowledged that preseason games are important for player development.

  • The NFL owners discussed the 18-game schedule proposal at their 2026 meetings in Phoenix.

The players

Robert Kraft

Owner of the New England Patriots.

Carlie Irsay-Gordon

Owner of the Indianapolis Colts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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

“I would say, for development of our team, I don't think we can get rid of it.”

— Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Indianapolis Colts Owner

What’s next

Negotiations with the NFL Players Association can begin toward an 18-game schedule as soon as the 2027 season, according to Pro Football Talk. However, one owner acknowledged that the NFLPA leaders 'need some time to get ready for that.'

The takeaway

The potential move to an 18-game NFL regular season schedule has the support of several team owners, but they want to see additional measures taken to address player health and safety concerns, such as reducing the preseason and adding another bye week.