at least in the early games. It would also mean lower draft choices, and undrafted free agents wouldn’t get much chance to show what they can do in game situations.

They're thinking, why fuck around, let's just round the season off to 20 reagular season games.

Bet on it.

It's even worse than you describe.
Almost no starters played the 4 games (when there were 4) and hardly anyone plays the third now.
Those games are for the coaches to decide which of the 35th through 65th players are going to make the team.
The first 22 starters, kickers, kick coverage wings & first reserve for every unit is known halfway through training camp.
So, it's more than not playing the entire game. Last year Mahommes played 28 minutes the entire preseason! Same here in Chicago with DJ Moore & Cole Kmet. If I missed the 1st series, I never saw them.
These games are a ripoff & should be eliminated.
The coaches would learn as much from intersquad scimmages.

No to lengthening the season. CTE isn't worth it. The players union should walk if it ever gets that far.

12 to 14 to 16 to 17...it seems inevitable that it's going to 18 soon and then 20. The NFL is such a powerful moneymaker for the networks, it won't be stopped...players' health be damned. They're replaceable.

There's a new crop of rookies from college every year.

of opportunity for those drafted later as well as undrafted free agents to have a chance to prove that somebody ‘messed up’ in their draft selections.
You DO know that Tom Brady was a 6th round pick, right?
Without preseason games - who would have known that he would end up being the GOAT?

On the one hand, it may make it harder for late rounders and UDFAs to make rosters. On the other hand, increased injuries may require an expanded roster, negating the first point. I don't see them expanding to 20 games, though. Unless they begin the season the First of August. That'll be fun in Miami.

that could withstand the longer season as opposed to the then 10-game high school and college seasons.

The league had come into its own in the national consciousness big-time with Monday Nighf Football, Howard Cosell, Dandy Don and Frank Gifford at the mics. The post-season didn't encroached into the basketball season and baseball spring. training yet.

The Raiders and Gowboys debated as to which was the winningest team in the league.

It wasn't to be so though. Greed of more games and layers of playoffs won out. It will always be thus I'm afraid.

F that 3/4 zip sweatered douche