Green Bay Packers president and CEO Ed Policy addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding a potential expansion of the NFL regular season. While supportive of the idea, he made it clear that an 18-game schedule will not be implemented in the immediate future.
The concept of adding another regular-season game has gained traction as the league continues to explore ways to grow. Policy acknowledged the appeal of the format but emphasized that structural limitations currently prevent any immediate changes.
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One of the primary obstacles is the existing collective bargaining agreement, which remains in place through the 2030 season. Any adjustment to the schedule would require negotiations between the league and the players’ association, making a near-term expansion unlikely.
Despite those challenges, Policy expressed optimism about the long-term potential of an 18-game season. He indicated that such a change could eventually become part of the league’s evolution as it seeks new opportunities for growth.
Green Bay Packers CEO Ed Policy Reacts to Proposed 18-Game NFL Season
Policy recently shared his thoughts about a proposal to hold an 18-game season. This is detailed more in an article by Wes Hodkiewicz for the team’s official website.
Policy supports an 18-game regular season, but it won’t happen this year.
Policy said he’d be in favor of it, though “it’s not a possibility right now.” The current NFL collective-bargaining agreement runs through 2030 season, so the NFL and NFLPA would have to modify that to make a change before then.
If an 18th game is eventually added, Policy acknowledged every NFL team likely would travel abroad for at least one game each season.
“We have adopted through the NFL’s Global Marketing program three markets – that’s Ireland, the U.K. and Germany,” Policy said. “Playing in one of those markets I think would be beneficial so that not only are we marketing over there, not only are we getting some highlights and our games being shown over there, but the fans actually being able to see our players up close and personal, I think that would be a pretty neat thing.”
He also pointed to the role of international games in shaping that future. The league’s global initiatives continue to expand its reach, and a longer season could further integrate overseas markets into the regular rotation for all teams.
As discussions continue, the possibility of an expanded schedule remains part of the NFL’s long-term outlook. For now, however, the focus stays on operating within the current framework while laying the groundwork for future changes.
