The NFL is reportedly pushing for an 18-game regular season in which each player would only be allowed to play in 16 games.
According to ProFootballTalk a league source said “the NFL quietly has resumed its push to persuade the NFLPA to expand the regular-season to 18 games” even though “players consistently have declined to agree to an expanded regular season.”
The outlet notes that “while the NFL still has the ability to unilaterally slash the preseason in half, which at one point was viewed as the leverage necessary to persuade the NFLPA to agree to add those two games to the regular season, the league is unlikely to do that” because “stadium lease agreements typically require at least 10 games per year.” Currently, NFL teams play eight home games in the regular season and two home games in the preseason.
As ProFootballTalk noted, “though a union source has described the possibility of an 18-game season with a 16-game limit per player as ‘fascinating,’ many fans would disagree” “loudly,” especially fantasy football players.
The NFL is also seeking to expand the regular season as the league puts more of an emphasis on player safety.