NFL Rumors: League Drops Push for 18-Game Schedule, Wants 17-Game Slate

The NFL has reportedly dropped its effort to add two regular-season games to the current 16-game schedule and will now push for a 17-game campaign in the new collective bargaining agreement.

Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic reported Thursday that a source said of the change, "Not enough owners' support [for] 18 and players would not go for it either."

A 17-game schedule would still include a reduction in the length of the preseason by one or two weeks.

DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, told ESPN's Cameron Wolfe in July the union was skeptical of a two-game increase.

"I don't see an 18-game schedule—under any circumstance—being in the best interest of our players," Smith said. "If somebody wants to make an 18-game proposal, we'll look at it. I haven't seen anything that makes me think that it would be good for the players."

Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal reported in July owners floated the idea of limiting players to 16 appearances during an 18-game regular season. However, that raised questions about fans who paid for tickets to see the league's top players only to arrive at the stadium to find out they're a healthy scratch.

It's unclear whether a game cap will remain part of the NFL's 17-game proposal.

Kaplan also reported the NFL and owners continue to discuss adding another playoff team from each conference, which would allow 14 of the league's 32 clubs to qualify for the postseason.

Talks between the owners and players are expected to resume in late 2019 or early 2020, per Kaplan.

The current NFL CBA, which was signed in 2011, runs through the 2020 season.