Roger Goodell Discusses Possibility of NFL Expanding to 18-Game Schedule Format on Video

One of the biggest questions about the future of football in recent years is whether the NFL will eventually expand to an 18-game season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discussed the topic on Monday, saying that it's "not a given" and that officials "have not had any formal discussions." He added that he hopes to discuss an 18-game format with leaders from the NFL Players Association.

"It's not something that we assume will happen. It is something that we want to talk about with the union leadership," he said. "As you know, they're going into a transition, and hopefully that will get solidified this spring. And as they determine their priorities, we are doing the same on the ownership levels so that when we get together, we can address these issues together."

While Goodell said that there have yet to be official discussions about an 18-game schedule, he's hinted in the past that it could be on the way. Part of his reasoning for an extra game is the possibility for even more international games, as he said in September that 18 games would allow for an international game almost every week.

"We have our eyes set on being 16 games internationally every year," he said. "We think we can do it."

The NFLPA may not be so on board with the idea, though. David White, the interim executive director of the NFLPA, said last fall that an 18-game schedule "is not inevitable and should not be presented as such."

The league may be planning for a future that involves 18 regular season games, but it will ultimately take the NFLPA's approval.