John K. Mara, owner and CEO of the New York Giants
It’s been just a few years since the NFL transitioned to a 17-game regular season spread over 18 weeks. Now, the idea of expanding to an 18-game schedule is a hot topic this offseason.
When asked about the potential extension at the NFL owners’ meetings on Wednesday, New York Giants co-owner John Mara admitted he wasn’t too keen on the idea. However, he recognized that his opinion might not be widely shared.
“I can’t say I’m necessarily crazy about extending the season,” Mara said, via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “I worry more about player fatigue and wear and tear moving forward. That’s one of the reasons we need to discuss this with the players union.”
From a business standpoint, an extended schedule would increase revenue for both the teams and the league.
Given the Giants’ struggles with injuries over the past few years, it’s understandable why Mara has concerns about the negatives of an 18-game schedule.
It’s still unclear whether the season would start a week earlier, reducing the preseason to two weeks, or if it would be extended by one week. If the latter happens and the NFL keeps the week off for the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl would be pushed to President’s Day weekend, giving fans a day off following The Big Game.
Given the momentum this topic has gained this offseason, it’s possible that a vote could take place next offseason, with the changes potentially starting in the 2026 season.
