{"id":889915,"date":"2026-02-03T19:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T01:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/03\/seahawks-demarcus-lawrence-doesnt-hold-back-against-roger-goodells-18-game-schedule-plans\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T19:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T01:12:08","slug":"seahawks-demarcus-lawrence-doesnt-hold-back-against-roger-goodells-18-game-schedule-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/03\/seahawks-demarcus-lawrence-doesnt-hold-back-against-roger-goodells-18-game-schedule-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Seahawks\u2019 DeMarcus Lawrence Doesn\u2019t Hold Back Against Roger Goodell\u2019s 18-Game Schedule Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Football <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>DeMarcus Lawrence centers player pay in 18-game discussion.<\/li>\n<li>Roger Goodell reiterates uncertainty around schedule expansion.<\/li>\n<li>NFLPA resistance remains firm as talks stay unopened.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>Ever since the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.essentiallysports.com\/category\/nfl\/new-england-patriots\/?utm_medium=website&#038;utm_source=website_internal&#038;utm_campaign=web_link_2\" target=\"_self\"><strong>New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> owner Robert Kraft suggested that an expanded schedule to 18-games for every franchise is inevitable, the football world has been buzzing. While Commissioner Roger Goodell hasn\u2019t officially signed off on the move, <strong>DeMarcus Lawrence<\/strong> highlighted that there\u2019s much to consider before putting players through another week\u2019s grind. And by that, he means in regard to the players, not owners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-new-ad=\"false\" id=\"player_stn-player__Dybik\"><svg style=\"height:28px;width:28px\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" viewBox=\"0 0 250 250\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M125.167 229.333C182.698 229.333 229.333 182.698 229.333 125.167C229.333 67.6354 182.698 21 125.167 21C67.6354 21 21 67.6354 21 125.167C21 182.698 67.6354 229.333 125.167 229.333Z\" fill=\"#0A7DFA\" stroke=\"#CCE4FF\" stroke-width=\"20.8333\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/><path d=\"M107.007 125.083V100.625L128.19 112.855L149.371 125.083L128.189 137.312L107.007 149.541V125.083Z\" fill=\"#FFFFFF\" stroke=\"#FFFFFF\" stroke-width=\"28.2429\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div data-content=\"Watch What\u2019s Trending Now!\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M7.14967 0.291147C4.4248 0.931139 2.0749 2.76815 0.87496 5.22146C0.21249 6.5607 0 7.48514 0 9.04956C0 10.3533 0 10.377 0.287487 10.377C0.449979 10.377 0.762465 10.1873 1.03745 9.92659C1.46243 9.51178 1.49993 9.41696 1.62492 8.38587C1.98741 5.35183 4.06231 2.86297 7.02467 1.95039C7.79964 1.71335 8.17462 1.66595 9.56206 1.66595C10.9245 1.66595 11.312 1.71335 11.9619 1.93853C14.3368 2.74445 16.1743 4.4748 17.0367 6.73848C17.2617 7.36662 17.3117 7.72217 17.3117 9.07327C17.3117 10.4481 17.2742 10.7799 17.0242 11.4436C16.1743 13.6717 14.2493 15.485 11.9869 16.1961C11.1995 16.4332 10.8245 16.4806 9.43706 16.4806C8.06213 16.4806 7.68714 16.4332 6.99968 16.1961C5.37475 15.651 3.89982 14.5843 2.99986 13.3162L2.48739 12.5814L3.96232 11.1829L5.43725 9.78437L7.06217 11.3251C7.96213 12.1666 8.77459 12.8658 8.87459 12.8658C8.97458 12.8658 10.112 11.8703 11.3995 10.6495L13.7494 8.42142V9.16808V9.90289H14.5618H15.3743L15.3493 7.9118L15.3118 5.93256L13.1494 5.89701L10.987 5.8733L11.0245 6.60811L11.062 7.35477L11.787 7.41403L12.4994 7.47328L10.7245 9.16808L8.93709 10.851L7.24966 9.25104C6.32471 8.37401 5.51225 7.65106 5.43725 7.65106C5.23726 7.65106 0.624971 12.0836 0.624971 12.2732C0.624971 12.5932 1.44993 14.0154 2.0624 14.7502C3.16235 16.0776 4.78728 17.1324 6.62469 17.725C7.24966 17.9265 7.83714 17.9976 9.12458 18.045C10.5995 18.1043 10.962 18.0806 11.8745 17.8554C15.2243 17.0258 17.9117 14.5013 18.7491 11.3725C19.0616 10.2229 19.0866 8.24365 18.7991 7.02292C18.3867 5.22146 17.1242 3.30148 15.5493 2.05705C14.6743 1.3578 12.8869 0.516329 11.737 0.25559C10.6245 -0.00514603 8.34961 0.0185566 7.14967 0.291147Z\" fill=\"var(--es-primary-700)\" \/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Watch What\u2019s Trending Now!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>\u201cIf we play an 18th game, all players need to be compensated,\u201d the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.essentiallysports.com\/category\/nfl\/seattle-seahawks\/?utm_medium=website&#038;utm_source=website_internal&#038;utm_campaign=web_link_2\" target=\"_self\"><strong>Seahawks<\/strong><\/a> defensive end asserted, via <em>Front Office Sports<\/em> on X. \u201cProbably for that 18th game. You can\u2019t be putting our bodies on the line just for the satisfaction of the fans, for the NFL, or for whoever it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>Despite his opposition to the plan, the veteran DE has a sense of realism similar to Kraft. He believes that if Goodell has set his sights on an 18-game format, it is likely only a matter of time before it becomes a reality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>As the growing whispers reached the ears of Goodell, he opted for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.essentiallysports.com\/nfl-active-news-roger-goodell-confirms-stance-on-eighteen-game-season-after-nfl-announced-international-expansion\/?utm_medium=website&#038;utm_source=website_internal&#038;utm_campaign=web_link_2\" target=\"_self\">more cautious tone than Kraft<\/a>. Speaking recently on the matter, he clarified that an 18-game season is \u201cnot a given.\u201d Even the formal negotiations around the subject have not yet begun, something clarified by the NFL Players Association last fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>\u201cIt\u2019s not something that we assume will happen. It is something that we want to talk about with the union leadership,\u201d he explained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>Goodell highlighted that expanding to an 18-game schedule isn\u2019t the priority for the moment, especially with the NFLPA leadership uncertain. Since Lloyd Howell\u2019s resignation in July 2025, David White has been discharging the duties of Executive Director interimly. So far, his successor hasn\u2019t been named, aka the \u201ctransition\u201d Goodell referred to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.essentiallysports.com\/nfl-draft-board\/\" aria-label=\"Go to NFL Draft Board\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<blockquote data-align=\"center\" id=\"node-twitter-embed-blockquote-6\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\u201cThis is coming from DeMarcus Lawrence. If we play an 18th game all players need to be compensated properly for that 18th game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Seahawks LB didn\u2019t hold back about a rumored additional game. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rdSKR2HoyF\">pic.twitter.com\/rdSKR2HoyF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Front Office Sports (@FOS) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FOS\/status\/2018546883631653115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>The whole conversation around the 18-schedule erupted during the 2024 NFL Draft, when the NFL commissioner appeared on the<em> Pat McAfee Show.<\/em> At the time, he suggested that swapping a preseason game for a regular-season matchup would be a move toward quality over quantity. If the league went forward with an 18-game regular season, it would be balanced by reducing a preseason game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=essentiallysports.com\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>The NFL\u2019s addition of a 17th game in 2021 suggested that expansion would be a recurring theme, rather than once in a blue moon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>However, it\u2019s doubtful the players would accept another addition anytime soon. Lawrence\u2019s teammate <strong>Cooper Kupp<\/strong>, too, has addressed the whispers and echoed the same sentiment. It would require a \u201cgive and take\u201d during the negotiations. In other words, the compensation has been worth the extra wear and tear players will go through.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>Yet, the NFLPA opposes. Back in September, White dismissed any formal talks regarding season expansion. And even if it will take place (in the distant future), White will be pushing back against the idea. Any change in the regular season would require a complete renegotiation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which isn\u2019t set to expire until March 2031. <\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>While the 18-game schedule remains a topic for future debate, the NFL\u2019s international expansion is moving at full speed for 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Football <strong>Roger Goodell is chasing 16 International Games a year<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>The league is set to make its debut in France, with the New Orleans Saints scheduled to play in Paris. Additionally, the NFL will return to Mexico City for the first time since 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>Goodell\u2019s futuristic plans also include playing a game at the Stade de France and committing to a multi-year deal to host games at Real Madrid\u2019s Santiago Bernab\u00e9u Stadium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure data-is-eligible-for-image-margin=\"false\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Football\" id=\"img-tag-node-img-loader-0\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.essentiallysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5IC63GMAEI35ID2NIR75JPWDQA.jpg?width=600\" fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Football article-image\" ><\/p><figcaption>\n<p>Getty<\/p>\n<p><span tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" fill=\"none\" style=\"margin-right:10px\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_410_56530)\"><path d=\"M7.0013 12.8334C10.223 12.8334 12.8346 10.2217 12.8346 7.00008C12.8346 3.77842 10.223 1.16675 7.0013 1.16675C3.77964 1.16675 1.16797 3.77842 1.16797 7.00008C1.16797 10.2217 3.77964 12.8334 7.0013 12.8334Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/><path d=\"M7 9.33333V7\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/><path d=\"M7 4.66675H7.00667\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"clip0_410_56530\"><rect width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"white\" \/><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>\u201cIt\u2019s the ambition we have to be a global sport,\u201d Goodell said earlier. \u201cBut it\u2019s also the demand we\u2019re having. We\u2019re hearing from cities that want to host these games and really want to get more American football.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-athlete=\"false\"><span>The league has already confirmed its first-ever game in Australia, which will feature the Los Angeles Rams. And they\u2019ve scheduled stops in Rio de Janeiro, Munich, and London. Currently, nine international games are set for next season, but Goodell\u2019s ultimate goal is to reach 16 international games annually. It\u2019s something NFL owners are pushing \u201clike the dickens,\u201d as Kraft described it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.essentiallysports.com\/nfl-active-news-seahawks-demarcus-lawrence-doesnt-hold-back-against-roger-goodells-eighteen-game-schedule-plans\/\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a> Margarett Klemp<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DeMarcus Lawrence centers player pay in 18-game discussion. Roger Goodell reiterates uncertainty around schedule expansion. NFLPA resistance remains firm as talks stay unopened. Ever since the New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft suggested that an expanded schedule to 18-games for every franchise is inevitable, the football world has been buzzing. While Commissioner Roger Goodell hasn\u2019t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":889916,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33860,3790,22313],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-889915","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-demarcus","8":"category-football","9":"category-seahawks"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=889915"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889915\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/889916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=889915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=889915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=889915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}