Jerry Jones is taking some major decisions for the Dallas Cowboys as he aims to turn the franchise competitive next season. They had a bad 2025 NFL season with a record of 7-9-1, finished second in the NFC East division and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Along with Jones, many other NFL franchise owners are also thinking of bringing new changes to the league, and are endorsing a new plan.
Jerry Jones says 18th game benefits players
The NFL has been talking about potentially expanding the regular season games from 17 games currently to 18 in the future. They had previously increased it from 16 to 17 regular season games in 2021 as part of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is set to expire in 2030.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also suggested the same to reporters, adding that a preseason game could be removed from currently 3 games to 2. He also said that all 32 NFL teams could get to play an international game every year, and that a second bye week could be added.
Jones also recently voiced strong support for expanding the NFL regular season to 18 games during the 2026 NFL league meetings. In an interview, he said it will be better for players as well, “I think it’s a better application of their careers and talent. Less preseason. More playing in games that have the right balance of financial reward as well as exposure.”
He added that fans will also want such an increase in regular season games, “When the ducks quack, feed them. And we have that demand for our games. And because of the hard working, great players that we have, we have great demand.” However, fans are not taking kindly to these suggestions for an increase in regular season games.
Fans blast Jerry Jones’ idea that 18th game benefits players
Many fans believe that players are already working through a difficult season, and an extra game will only make things worse for them. They believe that players would not want such a move, and that owners want to do it to make more money.
One user said, “Spin city from these wealthy elitists”.
A second user wrote, “Nice way of saying “money””.
A third user replied, “So Jerry Jones is spinning an 18th game like it helps players? More hits, more risk, same bodies breaking down. This is exposure talk masking workload creep. Who really benefits long term, players or the Dallas Cowboys brand machine?”
Another added, “Snake oil salesman”.
A fifth user commented, “Just like playing all the international games, it’s only about making more money for the owners. They can say all they want but if a survey was completed by the coaches and players, it would be very telling!”
A sixth user remarked, “Preseason games do matter for all the guys not making top of the line money. I wish Jerry would just come out and say he wants an 18th game cause he wants his pockets to be even deeper”.
Whether the NFL decides to increase the regular season games depends on future negotiations with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) with talks over the topic yet to be held.