The NFL finds itself in a curious position as it looks ahead. The league has openly flirted with the idea of stretching the regular season to 18 games, yet it simultaneously touts its commitment to player safety. Those two goals, according to longtime NFL columnist Peter King, are fundamentally at odds.
Speaking this week on CBS Sports' We Need to Talk show, King delivered a blunt message: the league should stop tinkering with the schedule. 'If you really care about the health and safety of your players, just stop expanding the schedule and be happy with what you have,' he said. King, who has covered the NFL for decades, added that he fired a 'warning shot across the bow' in his recent book, urging the league to resist the temptation to add more games.
Instead of expanding the season, King suggests the NFL double down on its international ventures. He's a vocal supporter of the league's international series, which has brought regular-season games to London, Munich, and Mexico City. 'I'm one of the few people in the media who really, really loves international football,' King said, recalling the memorable 2022 matchup in Munich between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks. That game, which featured Tom Brady, left a lasting impression. 'Afterwards, Tom Brady walked off the field, and he goes, 'When I retire, that will go down as one of the great games, great events that I have ever been involved in,'' King recounted.
King's vision includes a future where every team plays an international game each season. 'I also think that there will be a time where every team, every year plays an international game,' he said. That approach, he argues, would grow the league's global footprint without adding unnecessary wear and tear on players' bodies.
But King's plea may fall on deaf ears. The NFL's move from 16 to 17 games in 2021 was never intended to be the final step. The league has made no secret of its desire to push to 18, and the financial incentives are enormous. The only real hurdle is the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association. Given the massive revenue at stake, the union is unlikely to block expansion, even if it means increased injury risk.
King's concerns echo broader debates about player safety across sports. The NFL has faced scrutiny over concussions and long-term health issues, and adding more games would only amplify those worries. Critics argue that the league's safety initiatives ring hollow when the schedule keeps growing.
For fans, the prospect of an 18-game season is a mixed bag. More football sounds appealing, but the quality of play could suffer as rosters get stretched thin. Some have even called for the US Open men's final to move off NFL's opening Sunday to avoid competition, highlighting the sport's dominance.
King's stance puts him at odds with the league's trajectory, but he's not alone in questioning the wisdom of expansion. As the NFL continues to explore new frontiers, the debate over schedule length is unlikely to fade. For now, King's advice stands as a cautionary note: sometimes, less is more.
