New England Patriots center David Andrews pushed back on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s assertion that the league doesn’t need the preseason. Goodell appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and talked about adding an 18th game to the regular season, potentially eliminating a preseason game in the process. Andrews, a two-time Super Bowl champion, disagreed with Goodell’s statement, emphasizing that many players, especially young and undrafted ones, rely on the preseason to develop and prove themselves. Andrews took to Instagram to express his disagreement with Goodell, stating that the commissioner doesn’t need the preseason as he doesn’t suit up, unlike many players who do.
Goodell’s idea of adding an 18th game to the regular season was discussed before the 2024 draft, with the potential of pushing the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day weekend. Goodell expressed that he believes the league is currently fine with 17 games but is open to the idea of expanding the season. He mentioned that he is not a fan of the preseason and would prefer replacing a preseason game with a regular-season game. Goodell also highlighted the benefit of having the Super Bowl end on Presidents’ Day weekend, offering a three-day weekend for fans to enjoy the game. However, no concrete steps have been taken to change the 17-game schedule to 18 games, as any such change would need to be collectively bargained through the NFL Players Association.
Currently, no significant progress has been made towards implementing an 18-game season in the NFL. The decision to change the schedule would ultimately have to be negotiated with the NFL Players Association. Goodell’s vision of expanding the regular season to 18 games is met with mixed reactions, with players like David Andrews pointing out the importance of the preseason for younger and lesser-known players to showcase their potential. While Goodell sees the benefit of potentially moving the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day weekend, the logistics and implications of such a change would need to be carefully considered and negotiated with players and other stakeholders in the league.
The debate over the necessity of the preseason in the NFL continues, with different perspectives on the benefits and drawbacks of the traditional warm-up games. While Commissioner Goodell sees potential in adding more regular-season games and reducing preseason games, players like David Andrews argue that the preseason serves a vital purpose for many players, especially those trying to make a name for themselves in the league. The discussion around the length and structure of the NFL season is ongoing, with various stakeholders weighing in on the possibility of expanding the schedule and potentially changing the timing of signature events like the Super Bowl.
As discussions around potentially expanding the NFL season continue, it remains to be seen how the league will navigate the complexities of such changes. Commissioner Goodell’s openness to the idea of adding an 18th game to the regular season raises questions about the impact on players, fans, and the overall structure of the league. The importance of preseason games for player development and evaluation, as highlighted by David Andrews, adds another layer to the debate. Ultimately, any decision to alter the NFL schedule would require careful consideration, negotiations, and collaboration between the league, players, and other key stakeholders. The future of the NFL season and the role of the preseason in player preparation remain subjects of ongoing discussion and speculation within the football community.
