Patrick Mahomes Reveals True Thoughts on Potential 18-Game Season

The NFL is considering expanding its regular season from 17 to 18 games, a possibility discussed by Commissioner Roger Goodell in February and later deemed "inevitable" by CBS Sports reports in April. However, this prospect faces significant opposition from players due to concerns about the physical toll and increased injuries.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a prominent league figure, expressed his opposition in a CNBC interview, stating he is "not a big fan" of an 18-game season. He suggested that if it were implemented, the league would need to add more bye weeks to allow players' bodies time to recover, citing the injury pile-ups seen at the end of the current 17-game season.

Commissioner Goodell had previously proposed an 18-game regular season paired with a shortened two-game preseason. This plan could involve starting the season on Labor Day Weekend, adding a second bye week, and moving the Super Bowl to Presidents' Day weekend. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has also supported the idea of adding bye weeks.

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) strongly opposes the expansion. Executive Director Lloyd Howell Jr. stated unequivocally in February, "No one wants to play an 18th game. No one," arguing that 17 games is already too long for many players and leads to injuries carrying over into the next season. These comments, along with Mahomes's, indicate that the NFL will face significant resistance from the players' union during any formal negotiations about extending the schedule.