Why is the NFL Pushing for this TNF Flex Scheduling

(PSF) - Last week at the NFL owners meeting, the league started sending out new proposals for the new league year in 2023. There were a couple that were approved very easily. For example, players are now allowed to wear the number zero starting next season. This is fun and cool to see as the NFL is trying to become a more laid back organization, but there was one proposal that was not necessarily good.

The league is pushing to allow flex scheduling for Thursday Night Football games (TNF), meaning teams can now play up to two TNF games in a season. There is all sorts of problems with this. Let’s start with the fact that not a single player even enjoys playing TNF games. When teams have a TNF game the following week after playing on a Sunday it means they now have a short week to get prepared and rest their bodies for the next grudge match. Usually the following Monday after playing on a Sunday, every team has that day off because it’s a nice day to rest and relax especially if they were playing an away game and had to travel.

The short weeks also cause a pileup of injuries too. There have been a number of players in the last few years who have publicly stated that nobody likes playing TNF games due to the short week and less relaxation time. Devin McCourty, former New England Patriots safety recently made some remarks about this new TNF proposal. McCourty said Bill Belicheck tells his team before a TNF game that it’s going to tear their bodies apart but to fight through the war.

Hopefully the NFL will see this outrage from players about possibly playing two TNF games in a season and won’t let this proposal through at all.