The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL had to adjust to a new normal during the 2021 season when the NFL increased the regular season from 16 to 17 games. Some are still getting used to it, but overall the change has seemed to do well for the league as the salary cap has increased nicely every season and players are starting to earn more money. However, give the NFL an inch and it will take a mile, as there has already been murmurs about the league increasing the schedule to 18 games.
AP Photos
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on while speaking to the media about the state of the league.
The NFL moving to an 18-game schedule is going to be something that will have to be voted on by both the owners and players, although the league will certainly have some ulterior motives when it comes to getting that deal done.
More games means the television deals are going to be more lucrative, and it gives owners another week to rack up revenue. It feels like the NFL doesn't care much about player safety when these discussions occur, and many of the league's recent actions with various streaming services kind of back that notion up.
The NFL's Owner Meetings are coming up, and this is usually where league officials and owners discuss all the important issues going on in the NFL. It is expected for 18 games to be discussed, although former Pittsburgh defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko had an interesting take on what the league should do.
Scratch all 3 Pre Season games. Go to 20 regular season games. 2 mandatory bye weeks. Go from 53-60 active roster spots. Scratch OTAs and mandatory mini have players report mid July do a 2-3 week workout ramp up. August training camp joint practices. September kick off. https://t.co/oR8RTZZvXn
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) March 30, 2025
Getting rid of the preseason would probably make a lot of stars happy, but there are tons of players that rely on those games to make a case for themselves making the final roster, including Fehoko. Two mandatory bye weeks is something that has been spoken about before, even for a season with just 18 games.
Peter Joneleit / AP Photo
Breiden Fehoko after a preseason game in 2023 during his time with the Steelers.
It is important to note that a serious schedule change will not be made until at least 2030. The league's current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires after the 2030 campaign, however the NFLPA can agree on an extended schedule prior to 2030. Players would have to be on the side of it which will be hard to make happen, but the league is trying with certain negotiations like taking media out of the locker room.
All the discussions currently going on have been informal. Patrick Queen and Fehoko were teammates in Pittsburgh in 2024 and during their college days at LSU, and the linebacker called out Fehoko for his take on X.
20??? You crazy if you think ppl will last through that! Pre season is how under the radar players make their cases! We play 17 games we should have 2 bye weeks as is.. Definitely scratch otas and mini camp start training camp back up around July 17 https://t.co/ZsOAnXL0hi
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) March 30, 2025
Queen had to make the case for the under-the-radar players, which is more important than people realize. There is a chance Jaylen Warren wouldn't even be on Pittsburgh's roster had it not been for the preseason. It is a section of games that is overlooked by many, but it is vital to building a roster.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland in 2024.
Steelers Players Would Have It The Worst With A Change In Schedule
Football in Pittsburgh is intense, and that is mainly because of the way Head Coach Mike Tomlin runs his practices. The coach has players hitting each other at full speed in training camp, which is not common around the league, and his practices throughout the season are more intense than any other team's. This would make a longer schedule tougher on Steelers players, especially while playing in the AFC North.
"So you gone add more games in or out of division?" Queen asked. "Coaches still gone have you practicing so bye week really not even restful.. How you gone have pro bowlers after just 10 weeks? 20 regular season games is mentally and physically too demanding and takes away from what makes the sport great."
Tomlin would make his players practice just as hard no matter how long the season is. Queen also asks an important question when inquiring where the three extra games would come from in a 20-game season like Fehoko suggested. If it were one additional game against each divisional opponent, that would be less than ideal for Pittsburgh as AFC North games are the toughest in the league.
What is your take on the future of the NFL's schedule? Let us know in the comments below!
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