Back in the day, every NFL fan knew what to expect from the league’s powerhouses. The NFC East? A brutal battlefield. The AFC North? A slugfest. Divisions didn’t just shape playoff paths—they built legacies. Rivalries like Bears–Packers or Cowboys–Eagles weren’t just games; they were wars waged across decades. But now, the NFL is flirting with a radical idea: getting rid of divisions altogether. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at such a move!

For teams like the Detroit Lions, who had to play both the Packers and Vikings (who clinched playoff spots) twice last season, the change could mean a fairer shot at higher seeding. Sure, they got their bye week in 2024, but this is about the long run. But not everyone is on board. They see it as unnecessary. Former NFL safety and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick has a message for Commissioner: Don’t mess with tradition.

While talking about it, Louis Riddick gave an obvious message to Roger Goodell on the March 19 episode of ESPN’s NFL Live and said, “I don’t want to get rid of the divisions in football. Let’s keep them the way they are. Those rivalries are something the fans rally behind. Rivalries are good for sports. I would like to see the teams with best record get rewarded. But I don’t know if you can have both. Let’s leave it the way it is, man! There’s nothing wrong with the way it is playing out.”

That’s how many seem to see the proposed change. But if it goes through, it would change playoff seeding forever, making it similar to the NBA. We understand why the Lions want to make changes. In 2024, they had to defeat the Vikings in the season finale to gain the top seed. Both teams had a 14-2 record.

Things will change at ground level. Here’s how the playoff picture will change if the league approves it.

Roger Goodell throws playoff seeding formula on the discussion table

To be implemented, any change that is to happen needs the favor of 24 of 32 owners. On Wednesday, March 19th, they decided to discuss the idea of playoff seeding. It means that teams will be given playoff ranks based on their regular season records, instead of the divisional rankings. In 2024, here’s how the AFC looked with the current rule.

The AFC South franchise, Houston Texans, had a 10-7 record and gained the top-4 finish by topping their division. The AFC West had the LA Chargers, who had a better record 11-6, but got a 5th seeding. The Chiefs had the 1st seeding with their 15-2 record. Roger Goodell, known for being vocal with his views, has kept silent on it till now.

In the NFC, the Lions got the top-place finish with a 15-2 record. But the Vikings were 5th even with a 14-3 record, better than the Buccaneers (10-7), first in the NFC South, and Rams (10-7), first in the NFC West. Goodell also wants to see how the other teams and fans respond to this. On paper, this idea looks dapper. But the intensity, the fight, and the grit that have built some legendary rivalries may account for too little if they really approve of these plans. The divisions will effectively become redundant.

Now, there’s this competition already before the postseason as the teams have to stay clear of their divisional rivals. That will be over. But let’s wait and watch how things pan out.