NFL Commissioner: Coaches, Get Used To International Games!

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is telling coaches to get tough and embrace the league’s growing international presence, especially with games heading to Australia.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear: coaches need to stop complaining and get used to playing games overseas. Australia is a big part of that plan, with Goodell signaling a long-term commitment to the country. This comes as the league looks to expand its global reach like never before.

Australia A New Frontier for the NFL

The NFL is making big moves, and Australia is now a key destination. “Hey, get used to Australia. We’re coming back here.

We love it here,” Goodell reportedly told those involved. This suggests that the league sees Australia not just as a one-off stop, but as a permanent fixture in its international schedule.

The question is when and how these games will fit into the busy NFL calendar. While some wonder if seasons could start in Australia, others point to the league’s tradition of opening the season on a Thursday night.

This year, the schedule was adjusted to move a game to Wednesday night, showing flexibility. If a Thursday night game in the U.S. Works out to be a Friday morning in Australia, and it’s a success, the league will likely keep doing it.

The league has typically opened the seasons with the Super Bowl champion on Thursday night. And this year, they modified that to move the Seahawks to Wednesday night for the first time since 2012.

The NFL wants to grow the game everywhere. If Australia embraces American football the way the league hopes, expect more games there.

They might even plan these games around team bye weeks to help with travel and rest. With an 18-game schedule on the horizon, it’s likely that every team will play at least one international game eventually.

A World Tour for NFL Franchises

The NFL’s global ambitions are clear. The league is handing out rights to territories around the world, much like players do in the board game Monopoly.

Teams are getting specific regions, like the Browns getting rights to Italy. This isn’t just for fun; it means those teams are expected to play games in those areas.

This expansion could lead to games in some truly unique locations. Imagine games in Fiji, Norway, or even Liechtenstein, a small country nestled in the Alps.

The idea of playing football in such scenic spots is exciting. Even places like Abu Dhabi are being considered, especially after the city hosted successful World Cup events where special cooling systems were used to combat the heat.

The league is thinking big, even about the very design of the game. There’s a mention of the evolution of the football field’s gridiron, suggesting that past versions might have been changed for safety reasons. This shows how seriously the NFL is looking at every aspect as it expands.

Goodell’s Message to Coaches: Deal With It

Commissioner Goodell’s message to the coaches is simple: suck it up. “Coaches, you know, they want their own routine.

If they had it their way, they play 1:00, 4:00 every single Sunday, they’d be able to do,” he acknowledged. But he’s firm that the league’s international goals come first.

Even if a coach like Kyle Shanahan wants to stick to a familiar schedule, the NFL has other plans. “He can play all he wants. They want him in Australia.

He’s going to Australia. That’s the way it goes.” The league is prioritizing growth and fan engagement over traditional routines.

The Science of Beating Jet Lag

Dealing with the long travel and time difference is a major challenge. However, the NFL seems to believe that science and strategy can help. One approach discussed involves landing in Australia in the morning and immediately staying awake to adjust to the local time.

The key is to fight through the initial exhaustion. If travelers can manage to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime, they might get a solid night’s sleep and start their day feeling more adjusted. This method aims to reset the body clock more quickly, making the transition smoother.

However, the return trip is often the bigger hurdle. Traveling back to the U.S. Can leave players and staff dealing with significant jet lag, especially when facing games in the following week. While the league believes science can help, the physical toll of such long journeys remains a significant factor for teams involved.

One former player recalled traveling to Australia with the Denver Broncos in the late 1990s for a preseason game. Even with just a few days there, the journey home was tough.

“With all due respect to the commissioner, I remember I was a little bit jetlagged,” he admitted. This highlights that while the league is pushing forward, the challenges of extreme travel are real.

The Future is Global

The NFL’s commitment to international games is unwavering. From Australia to potential matchups in Europe and beyond, the league is determined to become a truly global sport. Coaches might have to adjust their routines, but the NFL believes the future of the game lies on a worldwide stage.

Source: NFL Commissioner Tells Coaches To Suck It Up, Get Used To International Games | Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)