As the NFLPA braces for an 18-game push, many younger players have no problem with it

The NFL has been wanting to expand the regular season to 18 games for years. It accepted 17 as a compromise, a stepping stone to more.

And it’s only a matter of time before the NFL moves the line between regular-season and preseason games from 17 and three to 18 and two.

The NFL Players Association is already preparing for it, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. And one of the things the NFLPA needs to consider is whether and to what extent the players want it.

There is a feeling, we are told, that many young players are fine with it. Their votes count just as those of the older players who would like to increase the workload.

Although comments from the commissioner in late April boosted the conversation, the truth is that the issue first came back to the fore when Brown’s general manager Andrew Berry explained PFT Live from the Scouting Combine that Cleveland had proposed a two-week delay in the trade deadline to account for the 17th game of the regular season – and awaiting an 18th.

After the chatter first resurfaced in late February, new union president Jaylen Reeves-Maybin did not deny the possibility when asked about it, saying simply:when the time comeswe will deal with it.

The time seems to be coming.

An item posted Thursday morning by ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor collects quotes from different players about the possibility of adding another regular season game. Players like Colts center Ryan Kelly have spoken out against it. Steelers safety Damontae Kazee sounds much more pragmatic.

“It can be positive for both parties,” Kazee said. “People look at it as another week to feed your family. . . . I love it.”

More games means more money, that’s for sure. The challenge for the NFLPA will be to use this as a springboard for more than just an expansion of their fair share.

The basic reality is that the issue would ultimately be resolved through a struggle that is not fair. The owners are willing to shut down football for an entire season to get what they want. The players don’t. This imbalance means that when push comes to shove, the union will cry uncle.

The question becomes whether the league can get the union to accept the inevitable before the expiration of the current CBA, in 2030. What can the league offer the players to get them on board? Will the union do what the union wants?

Ideally, the league would implement an 18th game starting in 2030, as that will be the first year of the next broadcast contracts. If/when (when) the league pulls the plug on its existing TV deals early, it will have an additional 16 regular-season games to offer in the next wave of billion-dollar settlements.

So yeah, it’s coming. And yes, many players will be happy with the extra game check.