Roger Goodell is at all times in search of a brand new solution to shake up the established order.
That doesn’t imply making modifications for the sake of creating modifications, however the NFL commissioner encourages alterations that push the envelope. Typically they work, generally they don’t.
Put the draft in prime time, and transfer it from metropolis to metropolis…
Permit choreographed landing/turnover celebrations, pace up tempo of play, transfer again PAT kicks…
Shrink the preseason and increase the common season…
Change kickoffs, dramatically increase the worldwide schedule, play video games on Black Friday, Christmas Day and the primary Friday of the season…
Goodell’s philosophy is that success inhibits innovation. He doesn’t need to hear, “That is how we’ve at all times achieved it,” or, “What did we do on that day final season? Let’s do it once more.”
So, on the heels of Philadelphia’s Tremendous Bowl victory, and because the league heads into one other offseason, it’s protected to say extra modifications are afoot, even when they’ve but to completely take form.
First, the modifications which might be constructed into the sport, the reshuffling of rosters. Among the many star gamers who nearly definitely can be altering groups are All-Professional receiver Cooper Kupp — the Rams have been in search of a commerce accomplice — defensive finish Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, and quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets, Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.
What different modifications could possibly be in retailer?
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play host to a recreation in Dublin, which is becoming contemplating the late Dan Rooney, the longtime staff president and proprietor, was a former U.S. ambassador to Eire.
The Indianapolis Colts will play in Berlin and the Miami Dolphins are headed to Madrid. Anticipated to be introduced is a second consecutive recreation in Sao Paulo, probably one other Friday recreation after the Thursday Kickoff Opener.
Saquon Barkley and the Eagles opened their season final fall with a victory over the Packers in Brazil.
(Fernando Llano / Related Press)
The Eagles have been the house staff for an opener in Sao Paulo final fall, and look how their season completed. And keep in mind the 2007 New York Giants, those who surprised the then-undefeated New England Patriots within the Tremendous Bowl? They performed a London recreation that season.
Worldwide video games are not seen as unique or disruptive. The NFL finally might wind up taking part in a full slate of 17 video games past the U.S. borders, a globe-trotting barnstorming tour probably as a substitute of a set worldwide franchise. We already know the Rams can be taking part in a 2026 recreation in Melbourne nearly definitely as a season opener.
One other Mexico Metropolis recreation is within the works, however there are stadium points that should be resolved.
It was that the NFL would by no means have groups play a number of quick weeks in a season — a membership taking part in a Monday recreation adopted by a Sunday recreation, greater than as soon as per yr. Now, it occurs on a regular basis. Look ahead to a number of groups to play three video games in 11 days — Monday, Sunday then Thursday.
The Baltimore Ravens performed three video games in 11 days final season — Sunday, Saturday, Wednesday — and went 3-0.
By way of scheduling, keep in mind that now each recreation is a “free agent,” that means the visiting staff doesn’t decide the community, because it did without end within the NFL.
For example, assume again to these years when Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning was the “greatest” recreation of the common season. That alternated backwards and forwards between CBS and NBC. Now many individuals take into account that recreation to be Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen. It’s eligible for Fox, too. The NFL additionally has put some massive video games on ESPN and it’s persevering with to develop Amazon Prime as an showcase as effectively, so don’t be shocked if a kind of big video games winds up on a streaming platform.
The NFL received’t be going to an 18-game schedule in 2025. That may require a variety of negotiations between the league and the NFL Gamers Assn., however the idea will percolate all through the season as will an additional discount of the preseason, most likely touchdown on 18 regular-season video games and two weeks of preseason video games.
Officiating was below specific scrutiny this season, with a extensively pervasive feeling that the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who received each shut recreation in 2024, appeared to get all of the breaks from the staff in stripes. Look ahead to the league to increase the checklist of reviewable performs, probably to incorporate facemask calls or non-calls.
“This recreation has gotten a lot sooner,” Goodell stated in his annual Tremendous Bowl information convention. “You’re seeing a lot that you just didn’t even six years in the past. I problem all of you — return and take a look at an NFL recreation from 2000 — the standard of what you see, the cameras, the angles, the variety of cameras, you see an terrible lot extra.
“So we need to use expertise to complement and to help and help the officers getting it proper. Replay assists this yr, I believe, was an enormous step ahead for us. I see sooner or later us including extra performs, and we’ll take a look at that with the competitors committee.”
The brand new kickoff format was adopted on a one-year foundation, and the chances are high that can be made everlasting this spring. There could possibly be some tweaks, although, reminiscent of shifting touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35.
The league favored the numbers it noticed out of the so-called dynamic kickoffs, together with returns rising 57% from 2023. Even with 332 performs added again into the sport, the league stated, there have been fewer accidents on kickoffs than incurred the earlier season with the normal format.
Search for the league to make everlasting the idea of flexing video games into the Thursday Evening Soccer window. The NFL did that after in two years — Denver on the Chargers in Week 16 final season — and was proud of the outcomes. The method wasn’t as disruptive as many individuals had feared. Nonetheless, these forms of scheduling changes determine to be uncommon.
NFL video games on Christmas Day, streamed on Netflix, have been an enormous hit final season. Look ahead to the league to do this once more, as Christmas falls on a Thursday, and to increase the Dec. 25 schedule from two video games to a few, matching Thanksgiving Day.
Inexperienced Bay will play host to the draft this yr, a serious occasion for that metropolis, which doesn’t have the motels (or climate) to play host to a Tremendous Bowl. A few of Lambeau Area can be used for the draft, as will the encircling tailgating areas.
The next yr, the draft can be in Pittsburgh, one other historic NFL metropolis that’s unlikely to get a Tremendous Bowl however that the league feels is deserving of a serious occasion.