Ryan Kelly Opposes 18-Game NFL Regular Season
It feels like only a matter of time before the NFL moves to an 18-game season. There is just too much money to be made and everyone wants to further stuff their pocketbooks. However, when that change is made, not everyone will be in favor of it. Colts center Ryan Kelly is very opposed to adding another game to the season.
“Eighteen games sounds great when Roger (Goodell is) saying it on Pat McAfee,” Kelly said about a recent interview with the NFL commissioner on “The Pat McAfee Show,” according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “But until you’re the one that’s going out there and putting the helmet on for 18 of those games, then come talk to me.”
“I (wish) people understood how hard it was to play 16, then they (added) another one?” Kelly said. “And they get rid of preseason games, well, OK, who’s that going to hurt? The guys that don’t have a shot, the guys that are the undrafted guys or late-round (picks) that need to go out there and improve themselves. I think that the fans see it like they don’t watch the preseason games, but they have no idea what goes on inside the building.”
“I just think it’s too many games,” the 31-year-old added.
Kelly obviously has a point about one aspect of this. The people making the decisions about this aren’t the ones putting their bodies on the line. These guys take beatings throughout the year. Unless you ever participated in a contact sport growing up, you will never understand the grind of a full season.
The current CBA runs through 2030 so it remains to be seen how quickly they get the 18th game approved. If owners want an extra game, shouldn’t the players fight for guaranteed contracts? Seems only fair…
By the way, Kelly’s voice kinda matters here. He is the Colts’ NFLPA representative and also the vice president on the union’s executive committee.
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