Joe Flacco, the veteran NFL quarterback who has played 209 games over an 18-season career, is voicing concerns over the league’s push to extend the regular season. At 41 years old, Flacco is returning to the Cincinnati Bengals for another season, but he questions the long-term impact of adding games to the NFL calendar.
The NFL moved from a 16-game to a 17-game regular season in 2021, and discussions about further expansion to 18 games have been ongoing. Flacco, speaking to Front Office Sports, warned that the trend could spiral, asking, “What happens when we go to 18? Are they going to want 20? Are they going to want 22?”
He believes the push for more games is driven by the pursuit of greater revenue, which could come at the expense of player health and the quality of play. “At some point it has to stop,” Flacco said, noting that the league once played just 14 games before his birth.
Despite his reservations, Flacco acknowledges that players may ultimately accept an 18-game season if it means higher salaries, as increased revenue would likely drive up the salary cap. “If we’re asked to play 18 games, I think you’re not going to see much difference,” he said. “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 expressed concern that the current 17-game schedule has already diluted the quality of the playoffs. He argues that by the postseason, teams are so physically worn down that the football is no longer at 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 weigh the benefits and risks of a longer season, Flacco’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between the league’s commercial ambitions and the well-being of its players.
