Kraft backs 18-game NFL season with neutral-site twist
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has called for the NFL to expand to an 18-game regular season, proposing a major change that would see every team play one neutral-site game each year. Kraft outlined the idea this week as league discussions around future scheduling continue.
Kraft argued the format would balance competition while growing the NFL’s global reach. “If we go to 18 games, I think it makes sense that everyone gives up one home game,” he said, as quoted by the New York Post. “A neutral-site model creates fairness and opens new markets.”
The NFL moved to a 17-game season in 2021, increasing revenue but also raising concerns over player safety. Kraft insisted expansion must come with planning. “Player health has to remain a priority,” he said. “But fans want more football, and this is a smart way to do it.”
An unnamed league executive added that neutral-site games could boost international growth, saying, “This concept fits perfectly with the NFL’s long-term strategy.” The proposal is expected to fuel debate among owners and the players’ union