Patriots owner Robert Kraft backed an 18-game NFL season but attached three conditions that are already dividing opinion around the league
14:34 ET, 30 Mar 2026
Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots gave his take on adding a game to the NFL season
View 3 Images
Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots gave his take on adding a game to the NFL season(Image: Getty)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has entered the debate over a potential 18-game NFL regular season.
Kraft signaled his support for the expansion but attached three conditions that together represent a significant and controversial set of demands.
Article continues below
The Patriots owner told reporters he would vote in favor of an 18th regular season game on the following conditions: one preseason game must be removed, reducing the exhibition slate from three games to two; a second bye week must be added for every team; and all 32 NFL franchises must play an international game every single year. It comes after Roger Goodell threw cold water on the potential change just a month ago.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Donald Trump shares what he thinks of Gary Woodland after emotional PGA Tour winREAD MORE: Caitlin Clark silence raises eyebrows during Iowa March Madness run after firing boyfriend's dad
The first two conditions align closely with what Goodell has previously indicated would be part of any schedule expansion conversation.
Goodell said at his Super Bowl LX press conference earlier this year that a number of issues would need to be worked through with the players' union before any addition could be made.
"We have not had any formal discussions about it and frankly very little of any informal conversations," Goodell said. "It is not a given that we will do that. It's not something we assume will happen. It's something we want to talk about with the union leadership."
Robert Kraft officially purchased the New England Patriots on January 21, 1994
View 3 Images
Robert Kraft officially purchased the New England Patriots on January 21, 1994(Image: Getty)
The third condition, mandating an international game for every team, every year, is the most provocative element of Kraft's position. The NFL has been aggressively expanding its global footprint, with nine international games planned for 2026 spanning Australia, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and three in London.
Goodell has made clear the league's long-term ambition. "That's an important mark to shoot for and I think we're on our way," Goodell said, referring to the goal of eventually having 16 international games per year so that each team plays one overseas annually. Kraft's condition would effectively lock that ambition into any 18-game deal.
The Indianapolis Colts' owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon also weighed in on the broader 18-game question at the league meetings, taking a broadly supportive view.
The NFL, led by commissioner Roger Goodell, is rapidly expanding its global reach
View 3 Images
The NFL, led by commissioner Roger Goodell, is rapidly expanding its global reach(Image: Getty)
"I think, as long as the players want it — which I think they would, because it would mean more revenue and, ultimately, a better product — I think it's reasonable and something we should work toward," Irsay-Gordon said.
Article continues below
The players' union, however, has historically been resistant to any schedule expansion, citing injury concerns and the physical toll of an already demanding season.
The NFL moved from 16 to 17 games in 2021, eliminating one preseason game in the process, and players pushed back at that stage too. Adding an 18th game, a second bye and mandatory international travel represents a substantially larger ask.
For now, any formal 18-game proposal remains a future conversation rather than an imminent vote.