The NFL hasn't let player safety stand in the way of schedule expansion. However, there are ways to make a safer game while still growing the financial pie.
Back in 1993, some of the broadcasters felt it watered down the product in the early Sunday slate. However, the NFL has essentially done the same thing from an inventory perspective with the additional kickoff windows (TNF, Friday and Saturday expansion, early morning kickoffs for international games, MNF double headers) without creating a ratings problem. There are also more teams in the league now than there were in 1993, so there's more to spread around.
I'd love an extra opportunity to see the Packers play on TV; and I've thought for a long time that an extra Bye would make sense.
Two byes makes even more sense with an 18 game schedule. They'd have to be crazy to not add another bye. Do byes cost the NFL money?
Back in 1993, some of the broadcasters felt it watered down the product in the early Sunday slate. However, the NFL has essentially done the same thing from an inventory perspective with the additional kickoff windows (TNF, Friday and Saturday expansion, early morning kickoffs for international games, MNF double headers) without creating a ratings problem. There are also more teams in the league now than there were in 1993, so there's more to spread around.