Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones believes the NFL isn't far from adopting an 18-game regular-season schedule.
Jones argues that the league could shorten the preseason and use the early portion of the regular season to develop players, similar to how teams ramp up activity during the preseason.
"It's in everybody's best interest," Jones said Friday during an interview on 105.3 The Fan, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.
"I would anticipate that coming," Jones added regarding the possibility of an 18-game slate being implemented.
The NFL adopted a 17-game schedule in 2021 following the most recent collective bargaining agreement between the league and NFL Players Association. However, there's been speculation that the league could expand to a 18-game slate in 2027. Any change to the length of the season would have to be collectively bargained.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in February there have not been any formal discussions with the NFLPA about expanding the schedule. NFLPA president Jalen Reeves-Maybin expressed no desire to engage in negotiations before the expiration of the current CBA, which runs through the 2030 season.
NFLPA executive director J.C. Tretter said in March that player health and safety would be top priority in any potential scheduling changes.
"The league's at 17 games in the CBA, that is where we're at, and we're going to make sure we defend our players and their health and safety, because our guys feel they know what this feels like," Tretter told The Athletic's Mike Jones.
