NFL considering 18 game schedule that could move Super Bowl back to Presidents Day weekend

07/27/2024 03:50 AM

The NFL Players Association and the NFL have had discussions at a “very high level” over potentially adding an 18th regular-season game to the schedule, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell told The Washington Post.

Howell told the Post that talks between the NFLPA and the league have not reached the stage of formal negotiations, but he acknowledged that he plans to discuss the issue with players in the near future.

“We have talked at a very, very, very high level superficially, with a recognition … about, ‘Yeah, this is something that we should be talking about. And we should really kick the tires and understand what else goes into that decision-making process,\"” Howell told the Post. “Where does the 18th game come from? I think the foregone conclusion is well, you just grab it, like, in what would otherwise be [preseason games] in August. You play it forward.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this year that he favored an 18-game season, adding that he envisions a lengthened schedule that would culminate in a Presidents Day weekend built around the Super Bowl on Sunday night. [Emphasis added]

— ESPN —

This change would likely impact the NASCAR schedule.  The Daytona 500 has been held on Presidents Day weekend the last several years.