LA Rams will play 17th game in Baltimore against the Ravens

Money matters

The kicker to sway so many over was the enhanced revenue sharing that the 17 game season will trigger. In 2020, the new CBA provided for 47 percent of the NFL revenue to be earmarked for player compensation. In 2021, that number will rise to 48 percent.

However, with a 17th game, that number gets another kicker, up to 48.5 percent. This is on top of the new seven-team playoff seeding introduced in 2020. Originally, that revenue projected to a 2021 NFL salary cap estimated to approach 240 million.  But with revenue shortfalls in 2020 and perhaps some of 2021, the NFL set the 2021 NFL salary cap at $182.5 million.

The CBA has expanded the practice squad from 10 to 12 players for 2020 and 2021, and up to 14 players for 2022. But the NFL and NFLPA agreed to expand the practice squad roster to 16 players to compensate for the uncertainties of positive COVID-19 testing during the season. The practice squad for 2021 could return to a 12 player maximum.

While I don’t want to dive too deeply into the matter, the NFL and NFLPA did make provisions for players who signed contracts prior to the likelihood of a 17th game and will adjust all compensation accordingly. In short summary, players who are adjusted will be prorated additional compensation based upon their contract for the added game.