Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

The Athletic reports, “the CFL’s decision to limit the number of padded practices and to give each team three byes has helped to reduce injuries across the league.” When I first heard about the CFL including three byes in their long schedule, I thought it was a great idea. Maybe the NFL needs to look at doing this.

If (when) the NFL goes to an 18-game schedule, more bye weeks will be necessary if they don't want games full of backups. The season will last nine months, but I doubt the league would mind that.

Citizen wrote:If (when) the NFL goes to an 18-game schedule, more bye weeks will be necessary if they don't want games full of backups. The season will last nine months, but I doubt the league would mind that.

When the league was making a big push for 18 games, there was talk about having the Super Bowl on President's Day weekend, which in some cases is only a week after what's currently in place. I'm sure if more $$$ is involved, the NFL will give up their usual reluctance to start the season on Labor Day weekend (or before).

In 1993, IIRC, each team two bye weeks. I don't know why it was dropped (TV contracts or the Players' Union?)

Teo wrote:In 1993, IIRC, each team two bye weeks. I don't know why it was dropped (TV contracts or the Players' Union?)

I think it was because the networks were struggling to have enough notable games to show each week.