Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, recently got the social media buzzing with his thoughts on an 18-game season. But he didn't stop there. This week, he threw in some more ideas, taking inspiration from the NBA's All-Star game and suggesting two bye weeks.
Burrow emphasized how tough it would be for players with the addition of an 18th game and other factors like Thursday night games. He stressed the importance of those two bye weeks, suggesting a format where the first bye remains as it is while the second could be like a Pro Bowl week or something akin to the NBA's All-Star week. He acknowledged that big decisions like these are made by those with deep pockets but hoped they'd consider the players' perspective.
The NFL's move to a 17-game schedule has coincided with a noticeable increase in injuries, putting more emphasis on the depth of team rosters. These discussions about expanding to 18 games have likely been ongoing within league meetings, making it feel more like a matter of when, not if, it will happen.
With the inevitability of an 18-game season looming, it would be wise for league decision-makers to take heed of voices like Burrow's and other players who are directly impacted by these changes. After all, keeping players healthy and ensuring the quality of the game should be top priorities.
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