Kittle conditions support for NFL 18-game season on pay and bye week
George Kittle argues that any move to an 18-game regular season must include increased compensation and an additional bye week, contrasting with owner sentiment focused on revenue and global growth.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has declared that he will only support the National Football League’s proposed expansion of the regular season to 18 games if the league agrees to two specific conditions: increased player compensation and the introduction of an additional bye week. The stance highlights a growing divergence between player concerns regarding workload and pay structure, and owner interests in revenue generation and international expansion.
Kittle, speaking to Front Office Sports, argued that the current 17-game schedule, which was introduced in 2021, has effectively diluted individual earnings. He noted that while total contract values remained static, the additional game meant players received their base salary split across more paychecks. “You sign a contract to play 16 games, they added the 17th game and you don’t get paid any more money, your paycheck just gets cut an extra time,” Kittle said, suggesting that a direct increase in payment for the additional fixture would make players more receptive to further expansion.
Beyond financial adjustments, Kittle emphasised the physical toll of the sport, citing a need for better recovery time. He argued that the current season is already excessively long and that adding an 18th game without an extra bye week would be unsustainable. “This season is too long as it is,” he said, pointing to injury rates in the previous year as evidence that players are subjected to excessive punishment.
The proposal for an 18-game season has gained traction among NFL owners, who view the change as a mechanism for significant revenue growth and brand expansion. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that the league is considering the addition of the 18th game as early as 2027, with discussions also underway to shorten the three-game preseason to accommodate the extra regular-season fixture.
Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft have both expressed support for the expansion. Irsay-Gordon described the move as a reasonable step toward a better product, noting that while preseason games are valuable for team development, they are less appealing to fans. Kraft echoed this sentiment, highlighting the long-term growth potential and the opportunity for every team to host an international contest, further solidifying the league’s global presence.
Despite the owners’ enthusiasm, Kittle remains cautious, stressing that the league must prioritise the welfare of its players. He acknowledged the financial benefits for the league but insisted that any expansion must be balanced with adequate compensation and rest periods. The debate underscores the ongoing tension between commercial interests and player safety in professional sports governance.
As the NFL weighs the logistics of an 18-game schedule, the demands from players like Kittle will likely play a central role in negotiations. With the potential timeline set for 2027, the league faces pressure to address these structural concerns to ensure player buy-in and maintain the integrity of the game.
