New NFL Media Deal Clears Path for 17-Game Season

The NFL announced its new ten-year media rights deal on Thursday, and have cleared the path for the 17-game season in the process.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the recent CBA required a new media rights deal for the schedule expansion to become a reality.

With that significant hurdle out of the way and an significant of influx of cash coming, the change can now be discussed at the league meetings later this month.

The owners will almost assuredly pass the resolution, meaning more football is on the way in 2021.

Under the CBA, at least one new media deal needed to be done for the NFL to go to a 17-game regular season. So, now the league can proceed with the expected expansion, though the matter will first be discussed at the virtual league meeting March 30-31. https://t.co/cS0QjpVP1T

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 18, 2021

Once the 17-game season is adopted, the league will likely shorten the preseason slate down to three. It’s not clear how the added game will impact the league’s future schedule matrix. Here are the Steelers’ 2021 opponents, as announced by the team for a 16-game schedule:

HOME

Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
Chicago Bears (8-8)
Cleveland Browns (11-5)
Denver Broncos (5-11)
Detroit Lions (5-11)
Las Vegas Raiders (8-8)
Tennessee Titans (11-5)

ROAD

Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
Cleveland Browns (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
Los Angeles Chargers (7-9)
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)