Jerry Jones Makes Bold Claim About 18-Game Season Benefiting Players

For 43 years, the NFL had a 16-game season. In 2021, that changed as the league adopted a 17-game season, but shortened the preseason from four games to three.

Now just five years later, owners want to change the schedule again. One of the primary topics at the Annual NFL Owners meeting this year has been a push to expand the season to 18 games.

Several owners are behind this, and believe it makes sense if they drop another preseason game. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is in full support of the move, and he believes the players are the ones who will benefit.

“My interpretation of the 18th game would be less preseason games. I like that,” Jones said via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “I think that’s great for the players — emphasize great for the players. It increases the viability of the financial aspect, more gate and more money for the players as well.”

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Jones was asked if there were any other benefits for the players, outside of extra money, and he said being able to display their talent for one more meaningful game is a perk.

“I think it’s a better application of their careers and talent. less preseason, more playing in games that have the right balance of the financial rewards as well as exposure,” Jones said.

Will the league adopt an 18-game season?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones poses on the NFL Honors Red Carpet before Super Bowl LX. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The idea that the players would be fueled more exposure is rather comical. The exposure players get now is sufficient and is hardly going to change by one more game. Jones is using his salesman tactics with that explanation, and it’s not likely the players will bite.

As for the revenue, that could be the deciding factor. The NFLPA was hesitant to agree to 17 games, but in the end, the extra cash going to the players won out.

Players have pushed back, with the NFLPA citing health concerns as their primary worry. They also believe such a change should be done through the CBA, which runs through the 2030 season.

That said, it feels inevitable that the league will eventually adopt the extra game. The question will be how much it benefits the players and how much will go in the pockets of owners such as Jones.

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