The first thing to came to mind when I read about the TV contract was, "OK, that makes sense. So just start the 18 game season in 2022, and it would be a great bargaining chip in the negotiations with the networks, more money for the players, more money for the teams, more money for the networks.
As for the rest, they are also good points, but imho, they are all points that could be worked out. Whether QB's and kicking specialists could be exempt is negotiable. But that's just one point. BTW- personally I'd rather that QB's NOT be exempt, but I can see the need for exempting the punter and kicker. But that's just me.
I'm sure one of our more mathematically inclined members could come up with the exact number of plays that would have be to sit each game in order for a say 56-63 man roster to give everyone a two game rest. I'm sure I could do it if were willing to do the work.....and I'm not.
. But let's say the number is 6. I don't think that the level of play would be drop because 6 guys didn't play a specific game.
As for the increased payment costs of adding 6-10 additional players at 3-5MM more per year is a small cost that COULD be mitigated a bit by simply paying those 6-10 plays at a different level. For example, currently a PS member makes about $85K/yr. ( A number that puts him in the top 95% of Americans btw) I don't think either the owners of PA would complain much if they doubled that number for those 6-10 players at the bottom of the rosters. Just a thought.
Clearly there would have to be a lot of thinking about the details of this plan and that is another reason holding of until the 2022 season would be a good idea.
It is easy to simply dismiss the idea, but sooner or later an 18 game season is going to happen. So given this reality, is there a better idea out there than having an 18 game season where the players only play 16? If there is, Id like to hear it.