The NFL enters a brief interlude following the Seattle Seahawks” Super Bowl victory, with the spotlight now shifting to the 2026 season. The annual scouting combine is set to take place in Indianapolis from February 23 to March 2, paving the way for the free agency period that begins on March 9, which will include a two-day negotiation window.
Shortly after, the league”s annual meeting is scheduled to occur in Phoenix on March 29. Teams that have recently appointed new head coaches will commence their offseason workout programs on April 6, while all other teams can begin on April 20. The much-anticipated NFL draft will unfold in Pittsburgh from April 23 to 25.
Among the most significant upcoming storylines is the league”s plan to host a record nine international games. This includes the inaugural regular-season matchups in Melbourne, Australia, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro. The San Francisco 49ers are slated to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, which accommodates around 100,000 fans. The Dallas Cowboys are also set to compete in Rio, having participated in two previous games in São Paulo.
Although the teams for the Paris matchups are yet to be determined, the league plans to host three games in London, one in Madrid, one in Mexico City, and one in Munich. The NFL aims to expand its international footprint to 16 games per season, but discussions with the NFL Players Association will be necessary to realize this goal.
“We have to consider several factors,” noted NFL executive Jeff Miller in a recent interview. “Our operations team must ensure that potential playing markets are suitable for us, covering aspects such as medical facilities, accommodations, practice venues, and the playing surface, which has been a topic of discussion. Travel logistics and player acclimatization are also critical.”
In response, David White, the union”s interim executive director, mentioned that while players value having a global stage, their past experiences have been inconsistent. “They”ve provided a lot of feedback regarding these inconsistent experiences,” White stated.
It appears that the league”s objective of reaching 16 international games may only be attainable if it decides to extend the regular season to 18 games, a move that Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated is not guaranteed. “We are only limited by supply, not demand,” Miller emphasized regarding international games. “There is a tremendous appetite worldwide for NFL football. If we can increase the schedule, we could potentially allow every team to participate in international games, which would be fantastic.”
Goodell also highlighted various concerns that need to be addressed before expanding to an 18-game schedule, including player safety, competitive balance, the potential introduction of an additional bye week, and adjustments to roster sizes. The current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players” union is set to expire in 2030. White expressed that players currently have no desire to extend the schedule, indicating that conversations on this topic are not forthcoming.
In addition to these developments, the NFL Competition Committee and teams are expected to submit several rule change proposals requiring owners” approval. One notable proposal may involve banning the “tush push” play, which has drawn scrutiny despite the Philadelphia Eagles” limited success with it this season, as officials have reported challenges in officiating the play. A proposal that prohibits pushing or pulling ball carriers could gain enough support.
Moreover, the league is considering expanding replay reviews to encompass crackback blocks, low blocks/clipping, blindside blocks, intentional grounding (to assess a receiver”s position), and illegal formations on kickoffs (to determine players” positions when the ball is touched). If implemented, the ability to throw a penalty flag after reviewing video footage would represent a significant shift, as current replay reviews only allow for the withdrawal of incorrectly thrown flags.
