The prospect of a 17-game regular season schedule appears to be an unpopular one among NFL Pro Bowlers.
ESPN reporters Michael DiRocco and Jenna Laine informally polled Pro Bowlers in Orlando during the week and found few who were even open to the idea of a 17th game. The vast majority were opposed due to safety concerns and would want major concessions to make it happen.
“When I talk to the guys, I don’t think many people want to do it,” Jacksonville Jaguars union rep Calais Campbell said. “Really, you talk to guys and I don’t think anybody wants to do it. It’s going to be very, very tough. I know the ownership’s really hard on it. We’re definitely talking, trying to figure out what we need to do, how we can make this thing work.
“It’s going to be a process, but 17 [games], that’s very tough.”
It is clear that removing one preseason game from the schedule would not be enough of a compromise. As Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda pointed out, many regulars skip the final preseason game anyway.
“Most of the starters don’t play in that last game anyway, so if you take away that one preseason game, you’re not taking away anything for us,” Yanda said. “You’re just adding a game. I’m not for the extra game. I think the game’s long enough. It’s physical enough, tough enough on people’s bodies to play 16 games and also playoffs, so I’m just not for that.”
Some players voiced a wish for a shorter offseason, which would especially be a major factor for rookies who already have limited time to transition to the NFL. Other suggestions included, at minimum, the inclusion of a second bye week on the schedule, while Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey semi-jokingly suggested eliminating training camp.
It had been suggested that a new labor deal was close back in November, with a 17-game season likely to be included. If these comments are any indication, that report was very premature, and there’s a lot of work to do before an agreement on that particular proposal is even close.
