The NFL has considered expanding its regular season from 17 to 18 games, following the addition of a 17th game in 2021 after the 2020 collective bargaining agreement allowed the change. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes weighed in this week, voicing concerns about the potential health risks unless additional bye weeks are also included.

As discussions continue about an 18-game NFL schedule, Mahomes emphasized the increasing toll injuries take on players during the season. He expressed that while he is not enthusiastic about adding more games, he could accept the change if it comes with more rest periods to help players recover physically.

Patrick Mahomes on the Need for More Rest With an Expanded Season

Mahomes, 29, spoke candidly in a CNBC interview about the challenges an extended schedule would present. He stressed that the physical demands have intensified as injuries accumulate toward the end of the season. Mahomes believes that extra bye weeks are essential for allowing players’ bodies time to heal and ensuring the best athletes compete in key games.

“If there were a way to get to 18 games, I’m not a big fan of it,” Mahomes said. “But if there were a way, I think you got to add some bye weeks in there to give more time for guys’ bodies to heal. I think that you’d have to find a way to have more bye weeks, more time spread out.

“I mean, you’ve seen the amount of injuries that have kind of piled up there at the end of seasons, and you want to have the best players playing in the biggest games.”

The NFL’s consideration of adding a game means players are likely to face increased physical strain. While an additional bye week won’t completely eliminate injuries, it would offer extra recovery time ahead of the playoffs, potentially reducing the risk of wear and tear.

Support From Another Leading Quarterback on Scheduling Changes

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow echoes Mahomes’ viewpoint on the proposed 18-game schedule. Burrow insists that if another game is added, the league must provide two bye weeks rather than just one to adequately support players’ health. His stance highlights a shared concern among top quarterbacks about maintaining peak performance.

“18 games? 2 bye weeks,” Burrow wrote in an April post on X.

However, this potential expansion cannot proceed without approval from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), as existing collective bargaining agreements—valid through 2030—govern changes to the schedule length. Given the positions of Mahomes and Burrow, it is probable the NFLPA will push for additional rest weeks during future negotiations with the league.

Implications of an 18-Game Season on the NFL’s Future

The possibility of an 18-game NFL season raises significant questions about player safety and game quality. The league’s leaders, including Commissioner Roger Goodell, see the expansion as a logical progression following the move to 17 games. Yet the concerns voiced by prominent players like Patrick Mahomes suggest that any schedule lengthening will require careful balancing of competitive demands with the need for recovery time.

With injury rates already a concern in the 17-game format, the addition of another contest without corresponding rest could further jeopardize player health. As talks continue between the NFL and NFLPA, the inclusion of extra bye weeks remains a critical condition for players to accept this change. Ultimately, how the league navigates these challenges will shape the future dynamics of the NFL season and the wellness of its athletes.