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The Pittsburgh Steelers, and all 32 NFL teams, are having to deal with pressure from owners regarding a potential 18-game regular season. It seems inevitable, to eliminate two preseason games and add two regular season games onto the regular season, but don’t think players are going to jump on board with the idea as the NFL and NFLPA work on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in 2020.
In fact, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ player rep for the union is Ramon Foster, and he took to Twitter not just to sound off on the latest proposal, but to actually have meaningful discussions on social media.
In case you didn’t hear, the latest proposal is an 18-game regular season schedule, but a 16-game cap for each player during the season.
Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal reports that, as part of the NFL’s push for 18 regular-season games, the league has advanced the possibility of an 18-game season with a per-player limit of 16 games per year.
So, what does Foster think? Check out this discussion he had with 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh radio host, Colin Dunlap:
With this proposal it’s almost saying “we know certain games just aren’t important, we just wanna pocket more money”. Almost makes it seem like it’s ok to play down or we won’t put our best players out each game. Profit over quality? https://t.co/0nqyTFxVeL
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 15, 2019
Our biggest issues is trying to extend guys. Those two weeks off still mean practice. And the biggest issue is taking away those 2 preseason games. Teams are made in those last 2 preseason game for young UDFAs https://t.co/VVk1o1zOQo
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 15, 2019
. It was a long road. And I needed that Charlotte game to secure a roster spot. This is a real open discussion lol. https://t.co/IEKc2rcI1F
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 15, 2019
Foster went on to talk about some of the drawbacks to the idea of the 18/16 rule when it comes to the new CBA and eliminating exhibition games, while meaningless to the fans are viewed as important to players.
The replacement kicker if you sit the starter for 2 weeks. Lol. It’s a joke but y’all get my point. pic.twitter.com/eCqDSFQDpz
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 15, 2019
More from Foster on his verified Twitter account:
A better proposal is to extend playoff pool. Playoffs at any league is better play. We agree right? Also there’s always that one “Cinderella” team that sends ratings through the roof. But not all teams make it in right and we searching for dollars or good/great play? https://t.co/dEJVrjWYX6
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 15, 2019
Ok would you rather a 18games/16 player max games if your starting LT and RT sit while 2 rookies who only had minimum training camp and reps start against Von or Demarcus Lawrence with your franchise QB still starting. True stars are born every year but y’all gone chance it?
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 15, 2019
The Steelers as an organization usually stand tall when it comes to discussions of CBAs and labor talks. If you recall, when the last CBA was signed in 2010, 31 teams voted yes with one voting no. That team was none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you see this as something which could be viewed as a positive for the game of football, or will it be a huge disaster? Let us know in the comment section below!