The NFL's push for an 18-game season is facing pushback. Former league MVP has now weighed in. He warns about the severe physical toll the longer schedule would take on players.

Various entities are discussing the cause-and-effect of such a move. That includes Cameron Newton, who questions whether players can handle the physical demands.

"Man, it’s a lot on the body," he told Fox News Digital.

Newton has experienced the toll it takes on the players’ health. And despite being retired, he stays tuned in with the NFL through his media presence in Funky Friday and 4th & 1 with Cam Newton.

Newton discussed the 'why' behind the NFL’s agenda, and implied that they might drop another pre-season game from the teams’ schedules to add the 18th game, just as they did in 2021.

"If you really look at it, what’s happening is they’re devaluing preseason games as we know it to be, and they’re trying to put it on the back end,” Newton also added.

The NFL Players’ Association’s David White also previously mentioned that the players have no appetite for a regular-season 18th game.

Even the NFLPA executive director and former center for the Cleveland Browns, JC Tretter, has stated this in a recent interview.

"The league’s at 17 games in the CBA, that is where we’re at, and we’re going to make sure we defend our players and their health and safety, because our guys feel they know what this feels like," Tretter said.

For years, analysts have been speculating on a total replacement of the pre-season games, and Newton weighed in on that very possibility. 

"I think, when you’re talking about the 18th game, it really comes down to if teams are going to really focus on preseason, or negate preseason altogether, just to get right into the regular season," Newton also said. "That’s going to be interesting to kind of see."

While an extra game would certainly be good for the NFL business, which has been dabbling in international fixtures of late, another NFL player has expressed concerns over the effects it would have.

Another Key Take on the Proposed 18-Game NFL Season

In a recent Fox News Digital interview, the Buffalo Bills defensive tackle, Dion Dawkins, discussed how the 18th game is a strong business choice, but there is one problem.

He added that if the players do get to the 18th game, their bodies might break down sooner.

“We're athletes, and not that I’m here for it, it's going to happen either way – [an] 18th game. And then 20 years later, guess what? We're talking about a 19th, then we'll be talking about a 20th.… Then it's like, ‘Yeah, we are combat athletes all year long,” Dawkins said.

While 18-regular season games would mean more stats and numbers, Dawkins thinks it could shorten player careers.

What do you think? Would you like an 18-game regular season in the NFL? Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote