Cam Newton Discusses Potential 18-Game NFL Season

Veteran QB weighs in on the league's plans to expand the regular season.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:03pm

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In a recent interview, former NFL MVP Cam Newton discussed the league's expected move to an 18-game regular season, noting that it will put more strain on players' bodies but is likely driven by the desire to generate more revenue from additional games.

Why it matters

The potential expansion of the NFL regular season from 16 to 18 games is a major issue that will impact players, teams, and fans. Newton's perspective as a veteran player provides insight into how this change could be viewed within the league.

The details

Newton acknowledged that the NFL's motivation for an 18-game season is "good business," as it would allow the league to generate more revenue from a larger regular season schedule. He also speculated that teams may choose to "negate preseason altogether" in order to focus solely on the expanded regular season.

  • The NFL's current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2030 season.
  • The NCAA is considering adding a "Week 0" to the college football schedule starting in 2027, which could be related to the NFL's plans.

The players

Cam Newton

A former NFL MVP and current media personality who discussed the potential 18-game season.

Dion Dawkins

A notable NFL player who seems to understand the league's plans to expand the regular season.

JC Tretter

The recently named NFL Players Association executive director, who has said the union is not yet ready to discuss an 18-game season.

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What they’re saying

“One thing we all know — and I say this with all due respect — America's new game has been, for some time, American football. It's just good business.”

— Cam Newton

“I think, when you're talking about the 18th game, it really comes down to if teams are going to really focus on preseason, or negate preseason altogether, just to get right into the regular season. That's going to be interesting to kind of see.”

— Cam Newton

“Man, it's a lot on the body. If you really look at it, what's happening is they're devaluing preseason games as we know it to be, and they're trying to put it on the back end.”

— Cam Newton

What’s next

The NFL Players Association must approve any plan to expand the regular season to 18 games, and the union is expected to demand an additional bye week for players if such a change is implemented.

The takeaway

Cam Newton's comments highlight the potential tradeoffs of an 18-game NFL season, with the league likely motivated by increased revenue but players concerned about the physical toll on their bodies. The negotiations between the league and players' union will be crucial in determining if and how the regular season is expanded.