After leading the Steelers to a 16-10 victory over the Saints in Paris this Sunday, Aaron Rodgers didn’t just talk about the win. He dropped a bombshell that changes how you look at the entire league’s global ambitions: the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement talks apparently included the possibility of a full week of international games, with all 16 matchups happening in 16 different foreign locations. Seriously, a full-blown global takeover was on the table.
The Globe-Trotting QB Says It Could’ve Been Different
Rodgers, who only started playing internationally in 2022, is practically a global ambassador himself, with games under his belt in England, Ireland, and France. He even took a trip to Egypt back in 2024. This guy has the most diverse passport in the NFL, no question. So when he talks about expanding the game’s reach, you listen. “The reach of the league is fantastic, and I think I always wanted to be a part of it,” Rodgers told reporters. He truly believes an international week would’ve been “phenomenal for the game.” But then he hit us with the kicker: “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.” Ouch. That’s a direct shot at the priorities driving the league’s expansion.
Revenue vs. Reach: The Player Perspective
Rodgers’ claim brings up a huge question about the league’s balance. On the surface, 17 regular-season games and a full international week aren’t mutually exclusive. You’d think they could have both, right? But according to Rodgers, the owners leaned into the 17-game schedule for that sweet, sweet extra revenue. While Rodgers sounds like he was all in for a full international week, he knows not everyone feels that way. The source noted that “plenty of players would not be thrilled” about adding another international trip, even if it’s just one game a year. It’s a grueling season as is, and adding the travel logistics for a whole week of international play would be a massive undertaking for everyone involved.
This revelation from Rodgers is wild. It makes you wonder what kind of league we could have had, and what kind of global footprint the NFL might still push for down the line. The league clearly wants to go global, but Rodgers’ comments show there’s a serious debate behind the scenes about how to balance that ambition with player concerns and, let’s be real, the owners’ bottom line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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