In a discussion about the possibility of an 18-game regular season, New York Giants owner John Mara has voiced his reservations. While many of his peers seem to support the idea, Mara has expressed concern about player fatigue and the wear and tear it may cause. He emphasized the importance of having a discussion with the players' union about this matter.

Mara's comments came around the same time as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the potential expansion of the season. Goodell mentioned that the idea of an 18-game season is not currently an active topic, but the league is considering it in a long-term context. He also reiterated that a longer regular season would result in a reduced preseason, which the league sees as a favorable tradeoff.

Player safety and game quality are the primary factors being considered in the expansion discussion, according to Goodell. He highlighted the league's commitment to implementing measures aimed at making the game safer and ensuring that the fans get what they want – more football. Goodell referenced recent changes made by the league to reduce injuries and emphasized their ongoing efforts in this regard.

If Mara's concerns are not widely shared among the league's owners, it is likely that an 18-game season will be proposed, potentially well ahead of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement's expiration in 2030. In fact, there are reports suggesting that the NFL could present a proposal to the NFL Players Association within the next 12-18 months, as outlined by the Washington Post.

If the regular season were expanded to 18 games, it would result in a reduction of the preseason to only two games. Additionally, Goodell hinted at the possibility of the Super Bowl being scheduled for Presidents Day weekend. As the league explores this potential change, an extra bye week could also be on the table to prioritize the health and welfare of the players, as Mara emphasized.

As negotiations surrounding an 18-game season proceed, it is expected that players will advocate for an extra bye week to mitigate any additional physical strain. Rest assured that this will be a topic of discussion when the proposal is eventually brought to the bargaining table.

The future of the NFL's regular season remains uncertain, but with the ongoing conversation and consideration of an 18-game season, it seems the league is looking to meet the demands of fans while also prioritizing player safety and quality of the game.