The NFLPA is going to need some wooing before the NFL can play an 18-game season. That was the message from executive director Lloyd Howell this week, who struck a different tone than last year. In 2024, he seemed more receptive, or at least accepting, of the eventuality.
Not so in his recent press conference. Howell made sure to stress that “The length of the season is a CBA-negotiated matter” and that “Any commentary outside of a formal negotiation is just commentary”. In other words, Roger Goodell and the NFL can say anything they want in the media.