Berman: Hamlin Incident Delayed NFL's 18-Game Season

Longtime broadcaster says the league's expansion plans were put on hold after the Bills player's cardiac arrest on the field.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 9:04am

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According to veteran NFL commentator Chris Berman, the league's plans to expand the regular season to 18 games have been delayed due to the alarming incident involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in 2023. Berman believes the cardiac arrest that occurred during a Monday Night Football game caused the NFL to pause its aggressive expansion efforts, as the league wanted to avoid potential backlash from fans and the public over player safety concerns.

Why it matters

The NFL's desire to increase revenue by adding more games to the schedule has long been a point of contention, with concerns raised about the impact on player health and well-being. The Hamlin incident brought these issues to the forefront, forcing the league to reconsider its timeline for implementing an 18-game season.

The details

Berman suggested that without the Hamlin incident, the NFL might have already moved forward with the 18-game schedule. However, the cardiac arrest on the field led to a 'quiet down' period, as the league wanted to avoid negative public perception around expanding the season in the wake of such a serious medical emergency.

  • In January 2023, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game.
  • The NFL has been in discussions about expanding the regular season to 18 games, a plan that has been delayed according to Berman.

The players

Chris Berman

A longtime NFL broadcaster who has observed the league's plans to expand the regular season schedule.

Damar Hamlin

The Buffalo Bills safety who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a game in January 2023, an incident that Berman believes delayed the NFL's 18-game season plans.

Roger Goodell

The NFL Commissioner, whose primary responsibility according to Berman is to maximize revenue for the league's owners.

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What they’re saying

“Do I think that's the case? Roger's goal is from all the owners, let's make as much money as we can. That's also fair. It's his mandate. They pay him really well. He's a great guy, I've known him long before he was that and he's a regular guy.”

— Chris Berman, Veteran NFL Broadcaster (CNBC)

“The 18 games, ok, I don't know this for a fact. We might have seen it by now had Damar Hamlin not almost passed away on the field.”

— Chris Berman, Veteran NFL Broadcaster (CNBC)

What’s next

The NFL's plans to expand the regular season to 18 games remain on hold, as the league navigates the aftermath of the Damar Hamlin incident and seeks to balance its revenue goals with player safety concerns and public perception.

The takeaway

The Hamlin cardiac arrest event has served as a reminder that the NFL's pursuit of financial growth through schedule expansion must be carefully weighed against the health and well-being of its players. The league's cautious approach in the wake of this incident underscores the complex challenges it faces in satisfying both its revenue ambitions and its responsibility to protect its athletes.