Patrick Mahomes and Darius Slay are leading a backlash against the NFL, allowing teams to play twice on TNF

Several NFL teams could make two appearances at Thursday Night Football in the 2023 season after multiple rule changes Tuesday, as players and fans took to social media to lash out at league executives, accusing them of ignoring player safety.

NFL chief media and business officer Brian Rolapp announced that all 32 team owners in the league have agreed to the schedule adjustment that will allow some teams to play on TNF twice in one season, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Rolapp was also quick to share that once the changes go into effect, it’s “certainly possible” that some teams won’t play at all on Thursdays.

It’s fair to say that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wasn’t behind the new rule and tweeted a “shake his head” emoji in response to the emerging news.

NFL owners approved the rule, which would allow teams to play two Thursday games on Monday in short weeks. That means the NFL is now technically allowed to play teams twice in the season for Thursday nights after a weekend game.

Some NFL teams may have to play Thursday Night Football twice next season, including the Kansas City Chiefs, the current Super Bowl champions.

The NFL rolled out a rule change proposal Tuesday, led by Commissioner Roger Goodell

Two-time Super Bowl champion and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes isn’t thrilled with the new rule

It remains to be seen if the schedule change goes through as many fear for the safety of players

Teams could face this situation twice in the coming season. In the past, all 32 teams could only play one game on Thursday night.

Safety becomes an issue as players have less time to recover between the short weeks.

“The worst NFL news in a long time. Thursday night football is the worst.’ One NFL fan tweeted after learning about the league’s latest rule change proposal, before asking the NFL’s players’ association if “you all fans of this?”

“Just get rid of Thursday night football,” shared another fan of the grid. “I’d rather watch Tuesday or Wednesday night football with a bye afterwards.”

“Another Thursday night football game for teams but no second bye week…. yet the NFL cares about “player safety,” wrote another user.

“The NFL now allows teams to host TWO Thursday night football games per year. A league that constantly says it’s all about improving player safety continues to put the health of its players at risk. Playing 1 game with only 3 days break is not smart. playing 2 is RIDICULOUS,” former Washington Commanders QB Robert Griffin III said on Twitter.

‘Damn it… we have to take that stuff away!’ wrote Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay.

Sports Illustrated NFL writer Matt Verderame said, “TNF’s decision to let some (see: the best) teams play multiple games on Thursdays is really short-sighted. It’s a great way to hurt your marquee players and water down the playoffs.

NFL fans have criticized the league’s decision to give teams less recovery time between games because of the new rule, especially if they have to play on Sunday and Thursday of the same week

“The NFL wants teams to play two TNF games is so wicked. Do you want good teams at prime time, but are willing to risk your health to get it? Mmmk. #playersafety,” NFL national analyst Lindsey Ok said on Twitter. ‘

“Further proof that the NFL doesn’t give a damn about player safety or anything players want. It would be a better idea to abolish Thursday Night Football altogether,” wrote Andrew Schnittker, a sportswriter from Wilson, North Carolina.

“Thursday night football outside of Thanksgiving is a bad product and bad for player safety,” one fan tweeted, before another added, “Thursday night football is one of the worst performances in professional football.

‘Mofos tired and injured from playing 4 days ago. Even a week’s rest is hardly enough.”

“NFL teams with two Thursday Night Football games a season is a terrible idea,” shared another fan on social media.

Fans and one NFL player – Phillys Darius Slay – expressed their dissatisfaction on social media after news of the NFL’s rule change broke

Rolapp offered some hope to those who were strongly opposed to the rule change, saying the proposal to flex teams in and out of TNF had been tabled by May.

The main reason to push for the passage of the Flex plan would be to get rid of Thursday night’s games between two teams with losing records. If the plan is agreed, the league will be allowed to move games scheduled to be played on Sunday afternoon to Thursday night’s prime-time slots.

Only matches between weeks 14-17 can be switched, with 15 days notice required.

While many are in favor of passing the flexible scheduling proposal, there are reasons for the possibility that the new rule will be opposed by owners. NFL coaches aren’t big fans of last-minute changes, especially when the season has already started.

There are also concerns regarding fans who buy game tickets well in advance, as the flexibility in scheduling options may make them less inclined to buy seats well in advance of the game they wish to attend.

For a proposal to pass, 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners must vote for the rule change, meaning it must receive 75 percent of the vote.

Given the NFL’s tendency to prioritize revenue, it wouldn’t be a surprise if owners accepted the proposal, even if it goes against the wishes of coaches, players, and fans.