Joe Burrow, the star quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, has sparked a conversation among NFL players regarding the league’s proposal to increase the regular season from 17 to 18 games. Unlike many of his peers, Burrow advocates for keeping the schedule as is but suggests adding a second bye week. He argues that this would help maintain player health, a sentiment that has garnered mixed reactions within the player community.
Burrow’s proposal includes maintaining the current bye weeks, where teams take turns resting each week, and moving the Pro Bowl—a marquee event held before the Super Bowl—to the middle of the season, perhaps in Week 13. This change, he argues, could provide an additional break for players.
Concerns about player health and injury risks have been significant ever since the regular season was expanded from 16 to 17 games. The prospect of adding another game raises additional challenges in negotiations between the league and the Players Association. In response to Burrow’s stance on an 18-game season, former quarterback Chase Daniel took to Twitter, stating, “I guarantee that every NFL player will be unhappy with his comments. The union is already discussing injury management. This is what happens when a top-five quarterback supports the idea of 18 games.”
Currently, the mood suggests that even reducing the preseason games won’t make an 18-game schedule any more appealing. Players, especially those in more vulnerable positions, may feel especially uneasy, as they often dedicate their careers to protecting quarterbacks like Burrow.
However, moving the Pro Bowl to the middle of the season could be worth a try. Transitioning the event to a flag football format significantly lowers injury risks. If it allows players to maintain a 17-game season with an extra week for recovery, who wouldn’t want to see stars like Patrick Mahomes participating in dodgeball or skill challenges?
