2023 marked the 17th year that Roger Goodell inaugurated the NFL Draft as the league’s commissioner. Sadly, it could be the last time that fans saw him at the draft night podium. Goodell has been at the helm of the league since 2006. However, he recently shared some concerning updates surrounding his multi-year contract extension.

It definitely looks like the majority of the NFL owners want to keep Goodell around for the commendable job he has done. However, what looked like a done deal a few months ago has turned out to be anything but so. Goodell even shockingly hinted at the possibility of the deal falling through and his tenure coming to an end.

Goodell’s contributions to the league cannot be ignored

Former NFL big man, Marcellus Wiley, reflected on these vague and ominous remarks from the NFL Commissioner. Wiley thought it was strange for Goodell to comment in this manner in the middle of contract negotiations. Back in October 2022, the NFL team owners voted 31-1 to allow the NFL’s compensation committee to strike a new deal for Goodell. The only man standing against the proposal was Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “Little game of chicken here. Little game of poker there. That’s what we’re seeing here play out,” Wiley added on his show.

Wiley also brought up the subject of the league giving up its tax-exempt status. That means that Roger Goodell’s future salary will not be public information like before.

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During his tenure, Roger Goodell has led the league through some major rough water. From scandals and conspiracies to implementing new rules and taking the league to new heights, Goodell has been a stellar captain of the NFL ship. “When I got my deal in San Diego Chargers, the cap was like $29 million. And now it’s what, $200 million? He has grown the game,” Wiley, who earned nearly $40 million over his NFL career, said.

Roger Goodell could be out of the NFL chair

64-year-old Roger Goodell took over the responsibilities of the commissioner’s role from his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, who held the chair from 1989 to 2006. This makes Goodell the second-longest-serving NFL Commissioner after Pete Rozelle, who ran things for 19 years. Goodell was slated to surpass Rozelle. However, that may fall apart based on his latest comments.

“I love the job and I love what I’m doing. We have talked about an extension and we’ll work towards that. If that’s possible, then great. If not, I’ve been really fortunate to be in this job. Loved every day of it. I would love every day that I’m in it, but I don’t really think about the tenure. I think about the progress and the important challenges we have ahead,” Roger Goodell told ESPN, as per Pro Football Talk.

His current contract expires in March 2024, and an extension up to 2027 had been in the works for some time. This was the fourth extension planned for Goodell, after the previous three in 2007, 2012, and 2017. Either way, it’s too soon to say goodbye to Goodell. Will he become the longest-serving NFL commissioner or is his reign over?

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