Talks of the NFL lengthening its season to 18 games have been going around for a year now. And recently, commissioner Roger Goodell has pumped the brakes on the topic. He said a longer regular season is far from a done deal. With a nod from the NFL Players’ Association still pending and safety concerns about players persisting, the future of the NFL’s proposed format remains up in the air.

“We have not had any formal discussions about it and frankly very little of any informal conversations,” Goodell said via NFL Network‘s Mike Garafolo’s post on X. “It is not a given that we will do that. It’s not something we assume will happen. It’s something we want to talk about with the union leadership.”

According to Garafolo, Goodell’s discussions with the NFL Players Association have barely begun. And they also need to assess key issues, including the necessity of a second bye week and the size of the roster. The league must ensure the latter doesn’t affect a player’s safety and competitiveness. In 2021, the NFL expanded its regular season to 17 games. The move ended a 16-game format that had been in place since 1978. The teams currently play 17 games across 18 weeks, with one bye week to recover and reset.

And before the regular season kicks off, the league hosts three preseason/exhibition games. These allow the franchises to assess and build their rosters accordingly. But during his recent appearance on The David Rubenstein Show, Goodell proposed keeping the total season length at 20 weeks. As part of his plan, the league would cut the preseason to two games while adding one more to the regular season. He described the move as a “logical step.”

“A lot of that depends on—can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said. 

Just two weeks ago, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft supported the move. He proposed the extra regular-season game to be played overseas. According to him, overseas games could boost revenue, raise the salary cap, and eventually help satisfy both sides. While Goodell and owners such as Kraft back the idea, the biggest obstacle remains player approval from the NFLPA. 

Although the current labor agreement runs through 2030, many expect it will be decided before its expiry. NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell has cautioned that the league must resolve health, safety, and financial concerns before making changes. Meanwhile, the move comes after Roger Goodell announced ‌a major global move.

Roger Goodell announces international moves ahead of the 2026 season

On Monday, Roger Goodell confirmed that the NFL will go beyond the American border to play nine games in the upcoming season. As per the schedule, the league will host three games in London, one each in Mexico City, Paris, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne, and Munich. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL plans to conduct one game in Mexico City for the next three years.

Those games will take place at Estadio Banorte, starting with the December matchup in the 2026 season. Goodell has always advocated for the international push, focusing on the league’s strongest international markets. He echoed the same sentiment during the recent press conference.

“It’s the ambition we have to be a global sport, but it’s also the demand we’re having,” Goodell said on Monday. “We’re hearing from cities all over the world that want to host these games and that really want to get more American football. That’s one of the things we’re really focused on.”

Moreover, he revealed the league’s long-term vision of letting all 32 franchises play at least one overseas game every year. In December 2025, the league announced its return to Munich, Germany, in 2026 and 2028. They plan to host the regular-season games at FC Bayern Munich Stadium. The league first added the station to its schedule after witnessing a surge in viewership and interest.

A 2022 game between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks drew over 69,000 fans. Meanwhile, Roger Goodell plans to explore Asia. The countries include Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, which will host the flag football tournament this year. With demand growing worldwide, the NFL’s global footprint seems to expand faster than ever.