Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not a fan of the NFL’s new Thursday Night Football rule change.
The reigning MVP tweeted his displeasure Tuesday upon finding out that the NFL will allow teams to play on Thursday Night Football twice per season. Teams were previously limited to one appearance on TNF.
🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/7kIyOGpOvV
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 28, 2023
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said of Mahomes’ tweet:
Roger Goodell on Patrick Mahomes’ tweet: “I don’t think we’re putting Amazon over our players. … The data doesn't show higher injury rate.'. … I hear from players who also love the 10 days after a Thursday Night game. We have to try to balance all of it. ” https://t.co/oWZH0O20aC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 29, 2023
It’s possible Mahomes is upset because the Chiefs could be more likely to receive two Thursday Night Football matchups as one of the best teams in the NFL.
Additionally, Kansas City will almost certainly open the 2023 season on Thursday Night Football after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl last season and lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
Playing games on Thursday nights also limits teams in game-planning and players in their recovery, two of the most crucial aspects of game-day preparation.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III shared his thoughts about the change in response to Mahomes’ tweet, emphasizing the fact that this change could impact player safety:
So much for player safety
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 28, 2023
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett added that the NFL Players Association needs to step in, and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay voiced his disappointment with the change:
@NFLPA we gotta do something about this https://t.co/LP13clrjHA
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) March 28, 2023
Hell naw… we need to take that shit away! https://t.co/u5sKcq7Z1H
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) March 28, 2023
Several former NFLers also shared their displeasure with the change because of the possible impact on player health and safety, including Damien Woody and Darius Butler.
It’s reasonable to believe teams that get two Thursday Night Football games during the season will have those games fairly spread out, but that still doesn’t do much for players in terms of rest and recovery.
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Beyond Thursday Night Football, the NFL made several more rule changes on Tuesday, such as allowing players to wear the No. 0 and making the penalty for tripping a personal foul.
Those changes aren’t as drastic, and it’ll be interesting to see how well players perform on such limited rest.
Source: bleacherreport.com
