Jerry Jones: 18-game season, 2-game preseason would 'create a safer game'

Jerry Jones is among those who've seen enough of subpar preseason football.

The Dallas Cowboys owner said Tuesday on 105.3 The FAN that he remains in favor of implementing an 18-game regular season and cutting the preseason in half, arguing "it's probably better physically for players" and that it would "create a safer game," according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.

"I was a big advocate in the last (collective bargaining) negotiation. I made the presentation,'' Jones said of his failed bid to convince the players. "You can see how I did.''

Jones believes a longer regular season, fewer preseason contests, and a shortened training camp would not only protect the health of players, but also give them a bigger piece of the pie.

"I can make the case that we have an uptick in concussions in the preseason,'' he said. "If you look at it, I would contend there would be less exposure."

"It would provide more than $1 billion to the players,'' Jones continued. "It's certainly worth considering. It would direct more value for what the players expend to the players.''

Some teams have taken matters into their own hands this preseason. For example, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has kept his first-team offense on the sideline for every game, which star running back Todd Gurley called a "dream."

The current collective bargaining agreement runs until 2020, meaning there will be at least two more years before Jones can try once again to implement his vision for a new-look NFL schedule.

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