Aaron Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, just floated an idea for the NFL to go all-in on international games for a single week, and the league’s owners? They’re reportedly not having any of it. Mark Maske of Front Office Sports dropped the bomb: there’s “virtually no support” for Rodgers’ “international week” concept among NFL owners and management.
Rodgers’ Grand Vision Meets Hard Reality
After the Steelers’ 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Paris, Rodgers took some shots at how the NFL currently handles its international schedule. He then pitched what he saw as a solution: one week where 16 international games would be played, coupled with an added bye week. Rodgers envisioned 16 regular-season weeks, then two bye weeks, with one of those being the dedicated international week. He felt it would’ve been “phenomenal for the game,” even taking a jab at owners for pushing 17 games for “extra revenue” despite their supposed care for “player safety.”
But the owners clearly don’t see it his way. One source told Maske that Rodgers’ proposal was a “nonsensical concept.” The reason? “You’d be competing against yourself,” the source stated, highlighting the perceived conflict of scheduling 16 games all at once. It’s a pretty definitive smackdown of the idea.
The League’s Global Game Plan Isn’t Changing
If Rodgers was hoping for a swift change in league policy, he’s out of luck. Maske reported that the NFL and its players “never discussed” an international week during their collective bargaining discussions back in 2020. Even more pointedly, the idea “won’t be considered” moving forward.
The NFL has been playing international games annually since 2005, only pausing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While London has been a frequent host, the league has already expanded its global footprint to include Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, and Australia. This season, the league is set to play a record nine international games, and all signs point to continued expansion in the years to come.
So, while Rodgers might be dreaming big about an “international week,” it looks like the NFL is sticking to its own game plan. They’re all-in on global expansion, playing a record nine international games this season, but it’s going to be on their terms, not an all-at-once global extravaganza. Get ready for more games abroad, just not the way Aaron Rodgers pitched it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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