NFL fans could be getting more football games next season, as the playoff structure is likely to change under the proposed new collective bargaining agreement. As things stand, the league’s regular season consists of 17 weeks, with each team playing a total of 16 games and going one bye week, while six teams from each conference advance to the playoffs. Things could be very different next season as the new CBA is expected to be finalized in the coming week.
A 17-game NFL regular season has been discussed numerous times over the past several years, but has yet to come into fruition. While the financial benefits of adding another game to the schedule are obvious, player safety remains a concern. A 17th game means players will be taking hits for another week, possibly leading to more injuries (like concussions). The league’s CBA is set to expire, meaning the topic of a 17-game season is bound to come up again as the owners and NFLPA negotiate a new deal. And this time, it could happen.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the proposed NFL CBA would add a 17th game to the regular season schedule and see seven teams from each conference make the playoffs (as opposed to six under the current setup). Under the new playoff structure, only one team per conference would get a first round bye (currently it’s two), and six games would be played on Wild Card Weekend (three on Saturday and three on Sunday). If the CBA is passed, this revised playoff format could go into effect for the 2020 season, while the 17-game schedule would be implemented in 2021. A source told ESPN about the new playoff structure:
CBS reports that the players will also accept a 17-game campaign if owners agree to make changes such as shortening training camp and allowing them fewer practices during the regular season. According to Schefter, players on the teams that get a first-round bye will earn postseason pay for that weekend, something they’ve been wanting or a while. They would also go from earning a 47 percent revenue share to 48 percent at 16 games and 48.5 percent if they go to 17 games. That would see $5 billion move across the field to the players’ end.
“That’s been agreed to for a long time. There wasn’t a lot of disagreement to that issue.”
If the proposed playoff format had been around for the 2019 season, the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers would have clinched berths, with the Rams playing at the Green Bay Packers and the Steelers playing the Kansas City Chiefs. That potentially could have changed the Super Bowl’s outcome. The prospect of additional football is exciting and leads to several intriguing possibilities, which is great new for supporters who could always use more football (and maybe a longer Super Bowl halftime show). To that end, WWE owner Vince McMahon has introduced the XFL for the second time; the season is currently ongoing and many fans have welcomed the additional entertainment. But that hardly compares to what’s been proposed as part of the NFL’s new CBA and, if that goes through, everyone involved will benefit.
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Source: ESPN
