A new collective bargaining agreement in the NFL could mean a 14-team playoff structure as early as next season, according to an ESPN report.
Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report this developing story. It would increase the number of teams from each conference to make the playoffs from six to seven, with only one team in each receiving a first-round bye. The wild-card weekend would then have six total games.
The ongoing negotiations could also bring a 17-game regular season, according to Schefter, which is something players and owners have been debating in the lead up to this CBA.