The NFL is experimenting with public relations by releasing an 18-game schedule.
Ryan Kelly fires back. The Pro Bowl center and NFLPA president for the Indianapolis Colts was outspoken in his opposition to an expanded game schedule on Wednesday, saying he has “no interest whatsoever” in an 18-game schedule or commissioner Roger Goodell’s efforts to push it.
Colts president of the NFLPA, Ryan Kelly, answered a ton of questions about Game 18 today.
Asked if Kelly wanted that to happen, he said “absolutely not.” pic.twitter.com/a3OfSQVjhH
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) June 5, 2024
“Yeah, 18 games sounds great to me, Roger on the Pat McAfee podcast,” Kelly said during a media interview after practice at Colts minicamp, “but until you actually play 18 games and put a helmet on, yeah, hear me out.”
“Roger” in this case was Roger Goodell. Kelly, who also serves as vice chairman of the NFLPA executive committee, was referring to Goodell’s appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” during the NFL Draft in Detroit in April.
Goodell spoke to McAfee in front of a crowd of fans and took on the role of cheerleader to promote the 18-game schedule.
“Right now, I think 17 games is enough, but I’m not a fan of the preseason. I think it’s always better to replace preseason games with regular season games. If you have 18 regular season games and two preseason games, that’s not unreasonable.” – Roger Goodell pic.twitter.com/4QxyVGppMq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2024
“Right now, I think we’re OK with 17th place,” Goodell said, “but we’re trying to figure out what to do next. I’m not a fan of the preseason. I don’t think we need three preseason games anymore. I don’t believe in it.”
Goodell then turned and pointed at the crowd.
“I don’t think the players like that either,” he continued. “Realistically, I think you’re always better off replacing preseason games with regular-season games. It’s about quality, right? When you’re 18-2, it’s not unreasonable.”
Goodell wasn’t opposed by the excited crowd that came out to watch the second day of the draft in person, as fans cheered his proposal for an 18-game regular season and two preseason games schedule.
Kelly didn’t think the proposal was all that reasonable, lamenting the gradual increase in the number of games, citing the league’s expansion from 16 to 17 games in 2021. The expansion was collectively bargained and comes amid growing awareness of the physical toll football takes on players, including concussions and CTE.
“Once you understand how hard it is to play the 16th hole, [add] “Another one, right?” Kelly said. “No preseason games. Oh well. Who’s that going to hurt? Guys that don’t have a chance, undrafted guys or late round guys that need to go out there and develop themselves.”
“The fans aren’t watching the preseason games so they have no idea what’s going on inside the building, right?”
The expansion debate comes against the backdrop of reports that the NFLPA is proposing revamping the league’s offseason schedule, with some speculating the proposal could be a precursor to an inevitable expansion of the schedule.
Meanwhile, the NFL is listening to fans who want to continue consuming as much football as the league has to offer, going forward planning to play multiple games on Christmas Day and two in 2024 because the holiday falls on a Wednesday, and Goodell is clearly also banking on the 18-game schedule and the extra revenue it will generate.
Will the NFLPA ultimately approve it? Kelly is not in favor of it, but it ultimately depends on the players’ vote to approve the expansion from 16 to 17 games and whether the owners are willing to make enough concessions in the negotiations to entice the players.
