Joe Flacco, the veteran NFL quarterback with 209 games played over an 18-season career, has expressed concerns regarding the league’s initiative to extend the regular season. At 41 years old, Flacco is set to return to the Cincinnati Bengals for another season, yet he questions the long-term implications of adding more games to the NFL calendar. The league transitioned from a 16-game to a 17-game regular season in 2021, and discussions about further expanding to 18 games have been ongoing.
In an interview with Front Office Sports, Flacco warned that this trend could escalate, asking, “What happens when we go to 18? Are they going to want 20? Are they going to want 22?” He believes that the push for additional games is primarily driven by the desire for increased revenue, which could ultimately compromise player health and the quality of play. “At some point it has to stop,” Flacco remarked, recalling that the league once played just 14 games before his birth.
Despite his reservations, Flacco acknowledges that players might accept an 18-game season if it leads to higher salaries, as the increased revenue would likely boost the salary cap. “If we’re asked to play 18 games, I think you’re not going to see much difference,” he stated. “The revenue’s going to go up, and the salary cap is going to go up, and over time you are going to be making more money.”
Flacco also raised concerns about the current 17-game schedule, suggesting that it has already diluted the quality of the playoffs. He argues that by the time the postseason arrives, teams are often physically exhausted, resulting in a level of play that falls short of its best. “Instead of getting top-level football, you’re getting a couple teams going against each other at 75 percent,” he explained. As the NFL continues to evaluate the benefits and risks of a longer season, Flacco’s comments underscore the ongoing tension between the league’s commercial interests and the well-being of its players.
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