NFL: Shorter Preseason, Expanded Postseason on the Horizon?

NFL fans may soon be getting their wish, as league sources are reporting the NFL is looking into shortening the preseason. According to Pro Football Talk, the decision is coming down to, you guessed it, money. Certain CBA regulations will also come into effect if the league does explore this option further.

The NFL “is calculating the revenue that would be lost by reducing the preseason by as many as two games.”

"If the preseason is reduced, the goal would be to balance out the lost revenue either by increasing the regular season or expanding the postseason. And the objective in calculating the lost revenue could be to entice the union to agree to a plan for recapturing the money, especially since the owners and players now share the wealth on a basis of roughly 50-50."

Apparently the loss of all those $40 parking spots might just do it for Rodger Goodell.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the league can reduce the length of the preseason up to two games without the approval of the players association. Any adjustments to the regular season schedule would require an approval from the players.

The alternatives right now for the league would to either add a 17th game to the regular season schedule or expand the postseason. A postseason expansion could mean the adjustment to an “NBA” like playoff system based on wins. This could dramatically affect the playoffs, as teams such as Philadelphia would have made the postseason with ten wins last year despite coming in second in their division.

While the current preseason schedule still sits at four games (five if you count the Hall of Fame game), fans are tired of watching the fourth string players and a constant worry of injury. On the other hand, this is the only time coaches can see those players in live game action and determine whether they’re worth keeping on the 53 man roster. Over 700 players are cut on the final round of cuts, making the removal of preseason games difficult to determine their readiness for the grind of the NFL. Not everyone is Aaron Rodgers and can be ready after five throws.

In my opinion, three games is a fair number for the preseason. Your starters get a chance to knock off the rust, while the rookies and bubble guys can fight over their spots. It’s a win-win for players trying to avoid injury and guys trying to make the team.

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