The NFL has been discussing overseas markets in some form or fashion for many years now. We have even had serious talk about the possible permanent location of an NFL franchise to another country—such as the Jacksonville Jaguars to London—which even got to the point where the logistics of such a move were being discussed.
It was perhaps that discussion that helped cool down such talk in recent years, but the league is no less serious about continuing to try to expand its market internationally. It was announced earlier this year that they intend to have a set number of games played in other countries every year, and that each team would be required to play in at least one once every eight years.