NFL owners offer 17 games, shorter preseason, larger rosters

new labour agreement accepted by NFL owners and w being considered by players features a 17-game season, shorter preseason, larger rosters and limits on number of international games.

NFL Players Association's executive committee and player representatives are to discuss proposal Friday by conference call. If NFLPA does t approve agreement, current CBA, which expires in March 2021, would remain in effect and furr talks would be required.

Several people familiar with proposal say it features increases in minimum salaries; changes in practice squad makeup and eligibility; and reduced offseason and preseason requirements as pivotal parts of deal.

Those people spoke on condition of anymity because provisions in 10-year agreement that would run through 2029 are t being made public.

An expansion of playoffs to seven teams in each conference, with only top seed in AFC and NFC getting a wild-card bye, can be instituted by league without any negotiations — as long as postseason remains in a four-week format.

One of wild-card weekend games might wind up as a Monday night contest.

17-game schedule actually is a compromise offer for some owners who wanted 18 games. Adding one regular-season match would seem to indicate each of those games would be at a neutral site.

But league has promised union to cap number of international games and that re would t be a full week of such contests. More likely is a continued mix of games in England (and or European sites) and Mexico. Most team schedules will have nine home games and eight road games.

preseason would be reduced from four games to three, t counting Hall of Fame game that starts exhibition schedule.

re would be extra bye week in regular season.

Rosters would expand from 53 to 55, with 48 players able to dress for games rar than current 46. Practice squads would go from 10 players to 12 and eventually to 14, probably by 2022. re would be more flexibility for protecting practice squaders from becoming free nts.

Suspensions for a positive test for marijuana likely would end, except for cases of tampering with a test. But doctors appointed by league and union would have ability to recommend players sit if y are t under treatment or are at risk if y suit up.

A major point of contention when current agreement was reached in 2011 following a 4 1-2 month lockout was Commissioner Roger Goodell's role in discipline. Should se terms be accepted by players, a neutral, jointly appointed hearing officer would make findings on off-field issues and wher actions violated league's personal conduct policy. Those findings would be binding, but a player could appeal — with Goodell making final decision.