As April approaches, anticipation for the 2025 NFL season builds. However, before the season kicks off, the NFL Annual Meeting is set to take place. From March 30 to April 1, all 32 team owners will gather at The Breakers in Palm Beach to debate possible rule modifications, among other topics.

A significant proposal on the table is the prohibition of the “tush push,” but discussions will also cover the possibility of extending the season to 18 games, though this change is unlikely to happen soon. For any rule change to pass, it requires approval from 24 owners, equating to a 75% majority. The Philadelphia Eagles, reigning Super Bowl champions, have popularized the tush push, a play that has frustrated other teams due to its effectiveness in short yardage situations.

The strategy involves the quarterback lining up under center with multiple teammates behind him, who then push the quarterback forward after the snap to gain ground. Although the Green Bay Packers have proposed banning this play, it remains uncertain if they have secured sufficient votes. Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel seems to appreciate the tactic, stating during the NFL Combine on February 25, “It’s difficult for me to deem something illegal just because it’s successful.

However, if it’s a safety issue, that’s a different consideration. In football, the goal is to coordinate 11 players to move the ball and score, and I struggle to see success as a reason to eliminate a play.” Besides the potential elimination of the tush push, extending the season to 18 games is another hot topic at the owners’ meeting. Two team executives mentioned to Yahoo Sports that they anticipate discussions to become more serious at The Breakers.

“Everyone understands that consensus-building time is approaching for both the NFL and NFL Players Association,” a league executive told Yahoo Sports. “Negotiations won’t happen overnight, and it might take a year or two, but a broader conversation among owners is essential. I believe momentum will start to build in Florida.” The motivation for an 18-game season is clear: more games mean increased revenue for owners.

However, for players, it also means a higher risk of injury. “No one is eager to play an 18th game. Seventeen games are already too long for many players,” said NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. in February. “The current length means players are still recovering from injuries when the next season begins. There are many issues related to the season’s length before any formal negotiations take place.” The idea of an 18-game season comes four years after the NFL introduced a 17th game before the 2021 season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell first suggested the expanded season in January, describing it as “a logical step.” “We would maintain a 20-game framework,” Goodell explained to Bloomberg. “We moved from 16 and four to 17 and three, so 18 and two seems logical.” However, the players have some leverage since the NFLPA must agree to any increase in regular-season games, and the current collective bargaining agreement is in place until 2030.

Goodell argued that the lack of increase in injuries during a 17-game season supports the expansion, a point that Howell questioned. “Frankly, we’re unsure how he’s drawing that conclusion based on the data we’ve seen,” Howell remarked.