On Tuesday afternoon, NFL owners voted to expand the playoff field from 12 to 14, effective immediately, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
We knew this was coming, but there was some thought it might arrive in 2021. Now the NFL seems keen on getting an expanded playoff out the door immediately, likely to pump up excitement for a season that’s still not certain to happen.
This was one of many stipulations in the new collective bargaining agreement. The new structure will allow for 7 teams to now represent each conference, as opposed to the usual 6 which has been in place since 1990.