The NFL MVP had a short but simple answer to more Thursday Night Football.
On Tuesday night, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that the league’s owners – who are meeting in Phoenix this week – approved a major change to “Thursday Night Football” allowing the same team to play more than once per season after the short week.
The league also initiated talks to allow for flexible Showcase game scheduling, but those talks were filed through May, according to the same report.
Efforts are made to get more competitive games on Amazon Prime, which have paid an exorbitant amount of money for exclusive rights to the game. As noted on these pages last week, I believe the Kansas City Chiefs should be opposed to both of these changes, both from a health and safety And Competitive Advantage (or Disadvantage) Position.
It was evident later Tuesday night that the Chiefs quarterback — and the NFL’s top opinion — appeared to agree. Patrick Mahomes’ tweet was simple, but the message was clear: What are we doing?
New York Giants co-owner John Mara referred the fans accordingly, which it describes as “abusive” to season ticket holders. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell then he is said to have responded to Mahomes’ emoji.
“I don’t think we put Amazon above our players,” Goodell said. “The data doesn’t show a higher injury rate… I’m hearing from players who also love the 10 days after a Thursday night game. We have to try to balance it all.”
In the Chiefs’ case, Goodell is right when he refers to the so-called “mini-bye” after a Thursday Night Football game. Head coach Andy Reid usually gives players a reset a few days after the game, and they seem to be enjoying it.
But my general understanding from players and staff alike was that the “mini-goodbye” that comes with short-hiatus play was always much more of a consolation than any sort of coveted benefit.
Mahomes’ short but fine social reaction seems to be correct.
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