Joe Flacco voices strong opposition to the NFL’s expanding regular season, arguing that the league’s revenue chase risks overshadowing player well-being. Owners actively explore an 18-game schedule, intensifying a long-simmering debate between financial gains and physical demands.
Flacco Questions the Limits of Schedule Expansion
Flacco highlights the relentless growth of the NFL schedule. “It’s got to stop at some point. What happens when we go to 18? Are they going to want 20? Are they going to want 22? We used to play 14 games before I was born. At some point it has to stop,” he states.
The NFL previously increased from 14 to 16 games, then to 17 in 2021. Owners champion an 18th game to boost revenue through lucrative media deals and global outreach. Players, however, resist the added strain in a high-contact sport.
Balancing Economics and Player Toll
Flacco recognizes the financial incentives. “If we’re asked to play 18 games, I think you’re not going to see much difference, and it looks like we’re probably eventually going to play 18 games, and we’ll just have to do it, and it is what it is,” he notes. “The revenue’s going to go up, and the salary cap is going to go up, and over time you are going to be making more money,” Flacco adds.
The league’s salary cap exceeds $300 million for the first time in 2026, driven by booming media rights. Yet, the NFL Players Association demands significant protections, including better health measures, recovery periods, and larger rosters, before approving further expansion.
Flacco’s perspective underscores the ongoing tension: substantial earnings potential clashes with the human cost of an extended season.
