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NFL Labor pains, Part Four | The 18 game season | National Football Post | Andrew Brandt | 12/22/2010
6. The Enhanced 18 game season
This is the game-changing issue in these negotiations. In the present CBA there is the stated right of the NFL to expand the regular season, which has been noted in comments by Commissioner Goodell. With the increased emphasis on player safety, however, Goodell is smart to not unilaterally impose this kind of extension to the season.
Forecast: The enhanced season will happen, probably starting in 2012. Offseason and training camp contact will be limited; a bye week will be added; gameday rosters will increase from 45 players to 49 or 50 with an overall increase in roster size to 54 or 55 and practice squad from 8 to 10. Despite the apparent contradiction to the player safety initiatives, the 18-game season will happen as the complaints will be drowned out by the pronouncements of labor peace for the foreseeable future.
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