NFL
How many preseason games does each NFL team play?
Since 2021, the National Football League introduced a 17-game schedule, respecting players’ load management resulting in a reduction of preseason games,
Preseason games in the NFL (National Football League) serve essential purposes for teams and players. They allow coaches and team management to evaluate players, including rookies, undrafted free agents, and new acquisitions. Evaluations help determine which players deserve spots on the regular season roster and which ones need more development or may not be the right fit for the team.
NFL teams have a limit on roster size in the regular season. Preseason games help assess depth and choose the best players for specific positions. Before the season begins, every team must reduce their 90-man rosters to 53 players. The coaching staff evaluates players at practice, but their performance during exhibition games could determine whether they make the roster, practice squad, or need to find employment elsewhere. Teams use preseason games to develop chemistry, evaluate injuries, and test strategies before the regular season.
Finally, preseason games generate revenue for teams and allow fans to see their favorite players in action, even though they don’t count in the official standings.
The 17-game season
In light of the NFL’s implementation of a 17-game schedule, a departure from the previous norm that took effect in 2021, the landscape of preseason games has undergone a significant transformation. Traditionally, teams engaged in a quartet of preseason matchups annually, accompanied by a fifth game reserved for the participants of the revered Hall of Fame game. This configuration, however, has undergone a notable evolution.
Each NFL team now plays three preseason games, with an extra game for the pair of teams in the Hall of Fame for four games. This change protects players’ well-being during the extended regular season. Still, it creates challenges for new players trying to make an impression in a roster of 90 players with limited playing opportunities. The change was made to prioritize player safety and secure the addition of a 17th regular-season game while still providing fans with an elongated stretch of meaningful football.