Per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the NFL will be expanding its season to 17 games per team next year. The Super Bowl will be pushed back one week to make room for the extra game.
The NFL is planning to expand the regular season to 17 games in 2021, pending a new media deal – a historic move that could at least slightly soften an anticipated drop in the salary cap next year. From me and @RapSheet: https://t.co/Q7nIqdecc8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 27, 2020
At least part of the reasoning for this move is to lessen the drop in salary cap next year. The lack of fans at games this year was expected to impact the salary cap significantly and this will soften the blow.
It is also expected that the preseason will drop from four games to two or three games. The NFL expanded to 16 games in 1978 by adding two additional games to the standard 14 game season. An official announcement is not expected for a few weeks due to television contract negotiations.
Stay tuned to Bucsreport.com for further details!