In summary, Lanning seeks fewer bye weeks (teams will again have two this season), a shorter break between the regular season and playoff and an earlier title game. He also said the regular seasons should start in Week 0, which would aid in moving the rest of the calendar up a week.

Both conferences are on board for further expansion from a 12-team format to 16 teams starting with the 2026 season, but they deviate from there — with self-interest at the center of it all. Imagine that.