News - Former Cardinals General Manager Expresses Concerns Over NFL Preseason Changes

In a move that continues to stir debate among football insiders and enthusiasts alike, the NFL's decision to reduce the number of preseason games from four to three has prompted former Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim to raise questions about the potential impacts on both gameplay quality and player development. During an episode of Inside Football, Keim emphasized the potential challenges faced by teams, especially in maintaining fundamental skills such as tackling and blocking, amidst the limited opportunities for practice against opposing players. "We minimized with the CBA a lot of off-field rules," he stated, pointing to the potential for missed assignments and lack of cohesion in the early regular season. "The physicality and the fundamentals are crucial." These changes were implemented following the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the NFL aiming to balance the total number of preseason and regular-season games at 20. The introduction of a 17-game regular season necessitated the reduction, facilitating a lucrative $100 billion media rights deal while aiming to decrease unnecessary encounters and injuries among players—a priority championed by the NFLPA. While significant financial incentives tied to broadcast networks were a motivating factor, the change was also intended to curtail the perceived redundancy of a fourth preseason game, as even coaches had expressed in prior discussions. Matt Nagy, then Chicago Bears head coach, remarked that the preseason served mostly for logistical exercises rather than core evaluation. Keim, reflecting on the current season, specifically called attention to the plight of the six new head coaches debuting this year. Notably, coaches like Joe Brady of the Buffalo Bills and Jesse Minter of the Baltimore Ravens have shown potential by achieving undefeated preseason records, yet Keim suggests this success doesn't completely mitigate the challenges posed by a shortened preseason. "It’s a big deal," Keim reiterated, pointing out the disadvantages of fewer exhibitions for first-timers to adequately strategize game management and build team synergy. Yet, what remains clear is that the ultimate outcome from these significant preseason changes varies across franchises based on their unique conditions and strategies.