As reported by ESPN on Wednesday, changes could be coming to the NFL schedule. These changes could significantly affect how the Breakfast League format is laid out beginning in 2021.
According to sources within the league, negotiations for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA) and the NFL are expected to include the addition of another regular season game to the current 16.
The CBA is an agreement between the NFLPA and the NFL. A new agreement must be set in writing every several years. This system has been the basis for players to negotiate favorable terms with the league. This new CBA could be agreed to as soon as next week, and some changes could be applied as soon as this fall.
Under the current proposal, the regular season would expand to 18 weeks, instead of the current 17. Additional changes include expanding the NFL playoffs from 12 teams to 14. If agreed to, the regular season expansion would most likely take place in 2021. Playoff expansion could take place immediately.
Such changes could have an impact on the Breakfast League. At the conclusion of the 2019 season, the League approved a reform package that would expand the regular season to 16 weeks of the available 17. If the CBA is agreed to, there may be 18 weeks from which to choose beginning in 2021. Additionally, the location of bye weeks may or may not expand or contract in chronological spacing dependent on the new CBA.
League members are asked to consider how this possible change might affect the reform package recently passed by members. While changes would not be required until 2021 when the regular season could expand, it is helpful to think ahead. Suggestions on how to approach such a change include:
- Honoring the original reform package;
- Modifying the proposal to match Kaelan Carlson's suggestion that there be three four-team divisions over a 14-week regular season, with the same three-week, six-team postseason plan as laid out in the now-current system;
- Modifying the proposal in some other way to use one or two additional weeks.
Comments