There is a chance the NFL playoffs undergo a massive change, beginning as early as the upcoming season, as the league is expected to make seven teams eligible for the postseason, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
As the league negotiates for the new CBA, which would take place following the 2020 season, there are several changes to be expected. One surprise is the potential for the playoffs to expand to seven teams in each conference, as opposed to the current structure, which has six teams.
Another aspect of the new playoff format would be the fact that only one team would get a bye, rather than the two teams that have a bye in the current structure.
Under the current proposal that is expected to take effect in the new CBA when it is done, seven teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs instead of the six that currently do. In addition, only one team from each conference will receive a first-round bye as opposed to the two that currently do, league sources said.
The changes to the NFL’s playoff format would take effect immediately for the 2020 season.
Schefter also reported that the teams with a first-round bye will receive pay during that week off in the postseason, which was not the case under the current CBA.
The new CBA hasn’t yet been finalized but when it is, it is expected to come with a major change in the playoff format.
