NFL CBA Proposed by Owners Would Increase Regular Season to 17 Games

NFL owners and players are discussing a new collective bargaining agreement. Among all the potential changes, the most notable has to do with the implementation of a longer regular season and an expanded playoff field.

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that a 17-game regular season and a 14-team playoff field may be approved and put in place. Schefter also mentions that the preseason would go down to three games to keep the total schedule at 20 contests.

Based on the early reports it seems that the new playoff format could be introduced as early as this season. The longer schedule may have to wait for logistical reasons.

The obvious concern with a 17-game season is the expanded risk of injury to players. However, they should earn more money and that may be what causes the players to approve that part of the proposal.

The expanded playoff format would mean only one team in each conference would receive a bye. That would lead to three Wild Card games in each conference. That means teams would be fighting like crazy at the end of the season to get that No. 1 overall seed. Opening up a seventh playoff spot also increases the possibility of more 7-9 or 8-8 teams sneaking into the postseason.

These proposals still have to be approved, but Schefter seems to indicate that the postseason will likely be different in 2020.