Ed Valentine has an intriguing update on the state of the NFL Season Expansion Plans, here a few of the highlights.
"The 20-game structure would remain intact with 18 regular-season games and two pre-season games being played annually. The concept “has a lot of momentum among the clubs,” says Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy, who also has been involved in discussions with the NFLPA about the enhanced season. “It addresses a real problem we have in our league, quality of the pre-season.In addition to strengthening regular-season and preseason games, the enhanced season would provide more value to the fans and create opportunities to grow the game to benefit everyone.”What it represents to us is a way to grow the game and grow the opportunities, not only for our fans and our business partners, but for the players as our partners,” says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have to continually look at ways to improve what we’re doing. It’s been very clear to us from not only our fans but also from our players that the quality of the preseason and the desire to participate in the preseason is not at the level it should be.”The NFL is looking into how players train – during both the season and off-season – to reduce wear-and-tear on players. The size of the active roster and practice squads also could be increased, which would give coaches more flexibility and depth. In addition, injured reserve procedures could be altered, which would enable a player to return during a season after being placed on IR. “Player safety and injuries are an issue, whether we play 16 regular-season games or 18,” says Murphy."
In conjunction with expanding to 18 regular season games, the league is proposing:
"Expanding the size of the active roster and practice squads.Altering the injured reserve rules to allow players to return during a seasonFormation of a developmental league for young players"