The NFL plans to extend its international play to eight games next season, with Ireland added as a possible destination.
George Balekji and Travis Thomas discussed the possibility on the latest episode of NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat” podcast on Monday.
“Roger Goodell on the heels of the NFL playing their last international game of the season … what a terrible game that was,” Balejki said. “… Panthers winning (in) overtime against the Giants. We owe more to Europe than that type of matchup.”
Balejki added: “We’ve seen the growth of the game. … I’m all for the growth of the game, I can’t hate it. We, again, owe them better matchups because at the end of the day, you wanted to give them Daniel Jones against Bryce Young.”
Thomas agreed with his co-host about the quality of NFL games being sent overseas for international fans.
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“That was never going to be a good idea. I’m with you completely,” Thomas said. “When the NFL first started this international stuff, I thought people around the world don’t care as much about football as we Americans do. … I just felt it wouldn’t work. I was just like, ‘No one cares about football.’
“But, to be honest with you, these games have great turnouts. … It seems like, from the outside looking in, … it seems like they embrace it. It seems like it’s going well. Now, I do understand why the NFL continues to expand. … In the end, just pick good matchups.”
The NFL hopes to play in destinations such as Ireland, Mexico City, Spain, Brazil, London and Germany next season.
You can hear the full clip of “Boston Has Entered The Chat” on YouTube or Spotify.
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Featured image via Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; A general overall view of Wembley Stadium, the site of an NFL International Series game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
