If you follow the news surrounding the NFL, there are those who believe an 18-game schedule isn’t a matter of if, but when. The more the league looks to make their product an every day of the week league, they also are looking for ways to make the league a 12-month season.

News Tuesday from Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network might make people feel as if the 18-game slate is only a matter of time, but it isn’t necessarily the truth. The news I’m writing about is the fact the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), to the players union, is looking to their players for feedback on moving Organized Team Activities (OTAs) to a different spot the calendar.

According to Pelissero, many are in favor of eliminating the spring workouts, but to make sure they don’t miss out on the quality work to prepare for the regular season. The plan, as of now, is if the union moves OTAs, players would report to training camp sooner to help them prepare for the rigors of the season.

Check out the latest news, straight from Pelissero:

The union has been seeking feedback on the plan from players, a majority of whom support the change, sources say. A formal proposal is expected this summer.

Offseason work rules are collectively bargained, and any changes would require an agreement with the NFL.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024

The NFLPA push for a revised offseason isn’t directly tied to an 18-game season. However, it’s worth noting a longer schedule would further shorten the time between the season and training camp — another reason consolidating players’ time off into one long break would make sense.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024

Some fans might read the news of this potential change and see it as something which is a negative; however, if you look closer it does make more sense as it pertains to the actual offseason calendar.

If teams were to abandon all phases of spring OTAs, as we know it now, it isn’t as if it would be removed completely, these workouts would just get pushed back on the calendar. So, instead of Phase 1 of OTAs, which is just working out and no position specific drills, starting in May, they would begin in early June. In other words, they would be eliminating the lull in the calendar from the end of mandatory minicamp and Phase III of OTAs, and pushing it back to be a proper run-up to training camp.

What do you make of these changes? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the start of the 2024 regular season.