Calls to Reduce NFL Preseason Games

The NFL preseason, now reduced to three games, is increasingly criticized for being ineffective and meaningless, with many coaches and fans advocating for further reductions. Teams like the Rams, who lost all three of their 2023 preseason games by a combined score of 109-34, are prioritizing joint practices over traditional games, raising concerns about player readiness and cohesion. Coaches like Sean McVay have led the charge against playing starters, resulting in lackluster performances that fail to excite fans or offer real insights into team capabilities. Meanwhile, injuries, such as Minnesota's J.J. McCarthy tearing his meniscus, highlight the risks involved even in seemingly trivial preseason games. As discussions for an 18-game regular season loom, the consensus is growing that the NFL must reevaluate the necessity and structure of the preseason. Calls for a further reduction to a two-game preseason format are intensifying amidst this backdrop of dissatisfaction and injury concerns.