Here's what they need
1 – Keep the current schedule, not only do the preseason games not stress the starters that much but they give the lesser players a chance to prove themselves and develop. Cutting those games out will put MORE stress on the starters and give the lower guys less of a chance to develop, that’s not good for the game.
2 – Add a few roster spots, this can be done within the current salary cap, teams will just have to figure out how to manage it, which shouldn’t be too hard considering that the additional spots would likely come from bottom rung players that would likely be on the practice squad anyway. With a rookie salary cap this should be more manageable.
3 – Rookie salary cap, restrict incoming rookies to a maximum salary of the vet minimum on a 2yr deal, with a signing bonus that cannot equal more than 3x the annual vet minimum. This will lessen the negative impact of draft busts, let teams apply those monies to proven players, and let the market figure out a player’s worth quicker than with the current set-up. A JaMarcus Russel would get paid less up front but a Devin McCourty would make more on the back end.
4 – Add an extra bye week, split them up, 1 in each half of the season. Players will be better rested and healed, this improves player safety which will likely result in better health and productivity long term, and it also makes for a better game, as all teams will have fresher legs making things more entertaining.
