In an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Tuesday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft provided what many consider the most direct confirmation yet of the NFL’s impending expansion.

Speaking on the Zolak & Bertrand show, Kraft stated that the league will “push like the dickens” to transition to an 18-game regular season while simultaneously mandating that every franchise play one international game per year.

The owners vision involves a structural trade-off where the league would eliminate a second preseason game, moving to a “18 and 2” format.

Kraft’s rationale for the shift is rooted in the belief that the NFL has nearly reached its “ceiling” within the United States. He pointed to the fact that 93 of the top 100 television programs are currently NFL games, suggesting there is little room left for domestic growth. By expanding the schedule and making international exposure a requirement for all 32 teams, Kraft believes the league can tap into new revenue streams necessary to continue growing the salary cap. He framed this financial expansion as a prerequisite for “long-term labor peace,” arguing that a higher cap is the primary way to keep players satisfied as the physical demands of the game increase.

The proposal marks a significant escalation in the league’s global ambitions. While the NFL has steadily increased its international presence—with games already held in London, Munich, Mexico City, and São Paulo—Kraft’s comments suggest a future where international play is no longer a specialty event but a standard part of every team’s yearly calendar. This shift would likely require a second bye week for players to manage the travel and recovery associated with an 18-game slate, a logistical hurdle that will undoubtedly be a major point of contention in future negotiations with the NFL Players Association.

The timeline for these changes remains tied to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which runs through 2030, though Kraft’s comments suggest owners may push for an earlier implementation through a new deal.