NFL preseason games: why?

[Jaxcat]

I know it's money, but the NFL makes an embarrassing amount of money every year. Not sure the extra revenue from 3 preseason games would be much more than a rounding error.

For most teams, the starters play a series, maybe 2 in Game 1. Maybe a few more series in Game 2. Very limited in Game 3,for most teams. If the stated reason is to 'prepare for the regular season', I question how much preparation these games actually provide. Throw in the unfortunate injuries that happen to almost every team in preseason and I'm at a loss as to the benefits of these games. Most teams have joint practices with another team nowadays and I'd bet a lot more benefit accrues from those sessions than the preseason games.

So...why? The money is incidental and could easily be recouped in many different ways. The benefits to the team's success seem very insignificant and the potential hazards great.

[UKWildcats1987]

Seems inevitable it will go to 2 gamed after the inevitable 18th regular season game is added.

[40bill]

Some former players such as Bradshaw have summed it up: You know the first and second round guys are gonna play. Pretty sure the third rounders.
The staff knows which returning players are on their last legs. One game makes that clear. You also know your free agents are going to play.

So really: Two games to blend and shake off the rust. The season is so long youre going to pick up practice players all year long.

[Majoga]

Don't care. It's not golf, or soccer or any other painful to watch sport. Even though I care next to nothing about NFL, I was so happy to be watching two football games simultaneously this past weekend.

[Jaxcat]

^I get it. A lot of people feel the same way. However, most of those same people don't watch the USFL or other summer pro football leagues and preseason games are just barely a level above that. I would guess a large majority of players who play extensively in preseason games are destined to be special teams fodder, practice squaders or out of the league altogether. So, it's football, yes. But minor league football for very little discernible benefit to the 'real' team as far as I can tell.

[BlueHeaven]

There's benefit in playing in the pre season. Not for the starters but the team is more than that. You have to have great depth to survive a 17 game season and those games serve a purpose to find the right guys that are thrown into game scenarios to see who can add to that depth. Sure there are joint practices but those can barely even be called a scrimmage. They're like our "Spring Game". I'll agree that 4 games are too much.