After initially planning to trim the preseason from four games down to two games, the NFL proposed a one-game preseason schedule to the NFLPA this week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The players’ union — including Broncos kicker Brandon McManus — lobbied for no preseason games so players would have more time to get back in shape before the start of the regular season.
If the NFLPA accepts the league’s proposal, the two sides will be compromising with a one-game schedule. The games originally scheduled for Week 3 would be played under the league’s proposal.
Denver was originally scheduled to play the 49ers in Week 1, (Aug. 15), the Bears in Week 2 (Aug. 22), the Rams in Week 3 (Aug. 29) and the Cardinals in Week 4 (Sept. 3). The Broncos will only play Los Angeles (on the road) if the one-game proposal is accepted.
While preseason is poised to change, the league still plans to play “a full regular season and postseason,” according to Pelissero.
After preseason, Denver will trim the roster from the current 90 players down to 53 players (here’s our 53-man roster prediction). The Broncos might also trade a few players as the roster cuts deadline draws closer.
