PHX Reporter

The NFL has been working for years to increase its international presence, starting with the Arizona Cardinals' game in Mexico City against the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. The league has since expanded to London and now plans to include countries like Brazil and Australia. This week, it was officially announced that Australia will host an NFL game.

These international games are part of ongoing discussions about possibly expanding the regular season to 18 games. The NFL moved to a 17-game season in 2021 under a new collective bargaining agreement with players. The idea of an 18-game season, which would reduce the preseason from three games to two, has been considered for some time. Commissioner Roger Goodell has mentioned this possibility on several occasions, and it was a topic during pre-Super Bowl events this week.

"No one wants to play an 18th game," stated Lloyd Howell, executive director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), at a press conference in New Orleans. One concern among players is the physical toll that an extended season would take on their bodies. For instance, traveling for international games can be demanding; the upcoming Melbourne game involves a 16-hour flight from Los Angeles.

Currently, players have agreed to participate in up to ten international games per year. The league hopes each team will eventually play one international game per season, totaling sixteen games.

During his Super Bowl press conference, Goodell acknowledged that expanding to 18 games is possible: "We know fans love football and they want more football. But we have to be incredibly sensitive and smart with the balance and how we deal with that."

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, president of the NFLPA and linebacker for the Detroit Lions, echoed player concerns about extending the season: "Whenever anyone sees '18th game,' we get a little bit scared."

According to Howell, there have been no official discussions between the league and NFLPA regarding an 18-game schedule yet, but such talks seem likely in the near future.

Ricardo Vargas/Arizona Cardinals