The possibility of an “enhanced” 18-game NFL regular season will likely create other changes to the league’s structure.
One possibility, according to Packers President Mark Murphy, would be the start of a developmental league. A minor league (the UFL?) would theoretically help replace the two lost preseason games as a method to improve young players.
Murphy also says -- via Bob Glauber’s busy Twitter account -- that the league could consider returning to old injured reserve rules, in which players weren’t automatically ruled out for the season.
It’s interesting that the push for the new season is such a priority to the owners, but nothing will change before 2012. Murphy also confirmed the NFL would not create an 18-game regular season without an agreement from the NFLPA.
Yeah, this could take a while.