Bills' Brandon Beane gives intriguing idea on to 18-game NFL season

Bills general manager Brandon Beane has publicly presented a sensible solution if the NFL expands to an 18-game regular season: rosters must expand with it. Speaking Monday from the annual league meetings in Arizona, Beane laid out a clear vision for protecting players and preserving the integrity of the postseason. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show , the Buffalo GM argued that any move to an 18th game must be accompanied by an increase to both the 53-man roster and gameday active list.

“I think you would have to talk about expanding rosters if we're going to eighteen games,” Beane said . “You do wanna make sure that your best players are playing in the playoffs. ” The NFL's current model allows teams to only dress 48 players on gameday.

“From 48, I think we need to talk about getting 50, north of 50 to be able to accommodate another game,” Beane explained. “How do you get through a season so that the rosters aren't depleted? ” The league last expanded its schedule in 2021, moving from 16 to 17 games while simultaneously trimming the preseason from four games to three.

The hypothetical 18-game format, which could be on the table as early as 2027, would likely see the preseason cut further to just two contests. Beane acknowledged the financial incentive driving the conversation but stressed the need for a practical approach to player availability. "You would go to 18 games for the revenue piece of it and cut one out of preseason, it's going to be more revenue," the GM added.