Aaron Rodgers isn’t just a record-breaker on the field, he is spilling the league’s secrets. After becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to play an international game in three different countries in three straight seasons, the Steelers’ QB revealed a wild, almost-realized plan from 2020: an entire international week with 16 games played across 16 global cities.
The International Week That Owners Killed
The Steelers just won 16-10 in Paris, France, marking the NFL’s first game in the city, and it was Rodgers’ third straight international game in a different country, following London, England, in 2024 and Dublin, Ireland, in 2025. Post-game, the four-time MVP dropped a bombshell. He said that during the 2020 collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the NFL and the NFL Players Association were seriously discussing an “international week.” This ambitious plan would have seen all 16 games for the league’s 32 teams played outside the United States, each in a different location worldwide. Under this setup, the season would have remained 16 games long, and every team would have enjoyed two bye weeks.
So, what happened to this groundbreaking idea? Rodgers stated those conversations “died” when the owners pushed hard for a 17th regular season game. He didn’t mince words, saying, “Now, the owners wanted to push for 17 games for the extra revenue because they care so much about player safety, but it would have been nice.” The 17th game did indeed become a reality in 2021.
Rodgers’ Global Vision, Owners’ Empty Pockets
Rodgers, a 22-season NFL veteran, didn’t experience playing abroad in his first 17 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He finally got the chance in London during his final season with the Packers in 2022. Now, after three consecutive years playing internationally with the New York Jets and the Steelers, he is a huge proponent of the NFL’s global initiatives. He sees vast opportunities for expansion in North America, South America, Europe, and even the Middle East.
However, Rodgers believes there is a significant barrier to the league’s groundbreaking global expansion: money. He claims the league is “tight on money” and unwilling to “open up their pocketbooks.” He wishes there was a mandate for teams to stay longer in these international cities, suggesting they “really enjoy the culture and the place you’re going,” and participate in “events… and outreach stuff and community work.” But, he added, they “won’t because they’re tight [with money].”
What could have been a truly groundbreaking global showcase for the NFL was apparently stopped cold by owners who, according to Rodgers, are just too “tight on money” to make it happen. He said it earlier this week, and he is still making it clear: while the league talks expansion, their wallets are staying shut.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply