Roger Goodell Looks at the Possibility of Expanding the NFL Regular Season

A 17-game regular season may not be enough for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. According to The Athletic, the commish went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and discussed his dream NFL season format. 

New Format

Goodell said he would prefer if the preseason was two games long and the regular season consisted of 18 games, making the entire regular season 19 weeks. 

“I’m not a fan of the preseason,” Goodell said. “I’d rather replace a preseason game with a regular season game any day.” 

Goodell also made the point that by extending the season an extra week the Super Bowl would fall on a three day weekend (Presidents Day).  

Current Format 

The NFL currently consists of three preseason games, except for two teams who play four preseason games (HoF Game) and 17 regular season games plus a bye week. 

The 17-game season is determined by playing each team in your own division twice (6), four teams from a division in the same conference (10), four teams from a division in the opposite conference (14), two intraconference games based on the standings from the previous season (16), and one interconference game based on the standings from the previous season (17). 

Teams alternate each year when it comes to having nine or eight home games. 

History 

Since the NFL Merger 

1967-1977    14 games 

1978-2020    16 games 

2021-Present 17 games 

Other Sports Expansions 

College Football: Expanded playoffs from four teams to 12 teams (2025)

College Basketball: Discussions of expanding the NCAA Tournament. Possibility of 96 teams. 

NBA: Added Play-In games for the playoffs (2020-Present)