NFL players’ union boss Lloyd Howell: ‘No one wants to play an 18th game’ in regular season

By Rob Maaddi | The Associated PressThe Kansas City Chiefs participate during Super Bowl 59 Opening Night, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New Orleans, ahead of the NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)NEW ORLEANS (AP) — An 18-game NFL regular season isn’t a slam dunk.NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell pushed back on it Wednesday even though NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has openly talked about it as if it’s inevitable.The two sides haven’t had formal discussions about expanding the season, which would require renegotiating the collective bargaining agreement.“Their side hasn’t raised it, we certainly haven’t raised it. … Any commentary outside of a formal negotiation is just commentary,” Howell said. “It’s a players’ decision as to what they will agree to do or not. Right now when I have talked to players over the last two seasons, no one wants to play an 18th game. No one. Seventeen games, for many of the guys, is too long.”Of course, the players’ union would want the league to make several concessions in order to agree to an 18th game.Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a linebacker for the Lions and NFLPA president, wouldn’t specify what the...