Shannon Sharpe Worried for History Books as Joe Burrow Advocates for 18-Game NFL Season With Double Bye Week

In the ever-evolving NFL landscape, a seismic shift is brewing that could rewrite the history books and redefine the league’s calendar. At the center of this potential upheaval is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Roger Goodell recently expressed that the league may look to expand to an 18-game regular season. Burrow chimed in with a bold proposal for an 18-game regular season, which is coupled with a groundbreaking double bye week.

“Maybe you could do something like: The first bye is kind of how we have it now, and the second bye everybody has it at once, and you make it like the Pro Bowl week, like an All-Star break for the NBA,” Burrow boldly suggested to reporters this week.

In a league balancing player safety and revenue, Burrow’s proposal is a high-stakes gamble. Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe bluntly stated in the NightCap Livestream, “The record is about to get so skewed—the receiving record, the passing record, the sack record.” Sharpe fears an extended season could distort sacred records etched into NFL lore. Long before Commissioner Goodell said he’s “not a fan of the preseason” and doesn’t “think we need three preseason games anymore,” players like George Kittle and Tom Brady spoke against expanding the regular season without an extra bye.

“Eighteen games is definitely a big ask,” Burrow said. “Adding that extra game, obviously it’d be great for revenue. But I feel like adding that bye week, if you’re going to have an 18-game schedule, is pretty critical for our bodies.” The physical toll is a legitimate concern Burrow aims to address.

While Sharpe’s concerns can’t be dismissed, Burrow’s proposal offers a unique twist that could mitigate risks. By aligning the second bye with the Pro Bowl, the NFL could provide much-needed respite for players and revitalize a struggling event.

Joe Burrow’s bold proposal can create a mid-season spectacle reigniting fan enthusiasm!

Innovation propels leagues forward, and Burrow’s visionary proposal represents that spirit. If adopted, the groundbreaking double bye week alongside an 18-game season could revolutionize how the NFL structures its calendar, ushering in a new era of player welfare and fan engagement.

At its core, Burrow’s idea is balance. “If you keep that first bye week—some teams have that first bye Week 5, Week 6—and then you’re going 12, 13 games in a row? That’s not easy. Probably a Thursday night game thrown in there, too. That’s never easy. So, those two byes are pretty critical,” Burrow articulated. A strategically placed second bye could allow players to recharge, potentially enhancing performance and extending careers.

Moreover, aligning the second bye with the Pro Bowl presents an opportunity to revive a struggling event. As former receiver Chad Johnson noted in NightCap Livestream, “I like that idea—a double bye week if you’re gonna add another game and then have a week where everybody’s literally off, similar to an All-Star break in the NBA.” Transforming the Pro Bowl into a mid-season spectacle could reignite fan enthusiasm.

While implementing Burrow’s proposal would require careful planning and cooperation, the potential benefits are significant. What do you think?