When Did The NFL Preseason Start?

The NFL Preseason started on August 1st.

The History of the NFL Preseason

The NFL preseason started in 1962 with the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. This game was played between the champions of the two leagues, the National Football League and the American Football League. The game was a way to crown a true champion of professional football.

Preseason before 1978

The NFL preseason began in 1902, with two games being played before the regular season. The first game was between the Buffalo All-Americans and the Rochester Jeffersons, while the second game was between the Canton Bulldogs and the Massillon Tigers.

The preseason began to expand in 1932, with three games being played. In 1933, the NFL split into two divisions, and the preseason increased to four games.

In 1974, the NFL expanded to 16 teams, and the preseason increased to six games. In 1976, the NFL expanded to 28 teams, and the preseason remained at six games.

In 1978, the NFL implemented a 16-game regular season schedule, reducing the preseason from six games to four games.

Preseason from 1978 to present

The NFL preseason has undergone several changes since it began in 1978. In the early years, there were four games played in the preseason. This was increased to five games in 1988 and then six games in 1990. The number of preseason games remained at six until it was reduced to four games in 2020.

The length of preseason games has also varied over the years. In 1978, each game was 60 minutes long. This was increased to 65 minutes in 1979 and then 70 minutes in 1980. The length of preseason games remained at 70 minutes until it was reduced to 60 minutes in 2020.

The number of teams playing in the preseason has also varied over the years. In 1978, all 28 teams played four preseason games each. This increased to 30 teams in 1979, 32 teams in 1980, and then 34 teams in 1982. The number of teams playing in the preseason remained at 34 until it was reduced to 32 teams in 2020.

How the NFL Preseason Works

The NFL preseason is a time when teams play exhibition games against each other. These games do not count towards the regular season record. The preseason gives coaches a chance to evaluate their players in game conditions. It also allows players to get into game shape and recover from any injuries they may have suffered during the offseason.

Training camp

NFL training camp is a time when football players report to a team facility to begin practicing for the upcoming season. It typically lasts 4 weeks and is crucial for players to get into game shape and learn the playbook.

Training camp is also a time for coaches to assess the talent on their roster and make final decisions before the start of the regular season. roster cuts are often made during training camp as players compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The NFL preseason is a series of exhibition games played by teams in the National Football League before the start of the regular season. Preseason games are not included in a team’s regular season record.

The NFL preseason generally begins in early August and ends in late August or early September. The preseason games are used by NFL coaches to evaluate younger players, give starters playing time against another team, and prepare game plans for the regular season.

Preseason games

Preseason games are exhibition contests played before the regular season. NFL teams use these games to fine-tune their rosters, and they generally don’t involve starters playing more than a few series. The preseason began in the early 1970s, when the league expanded to 16 teams and four divisions. Prior to that, teams mostly held intrasquad scrimmages.

The NFL preseason schedule typically consists of four games, although there have been five-game slates in the league’s history. The first two preseason contests are typically referred to as “dress rehearsal” games, as starters play more extensively than they do in the latter two contests. The third preseason game is traditionally seen as the most important, as starters usually play into the second half. The fourth and final contest is typically populated by players vying for roster spots on the team’s practice squad or fringe players who will be cut before the start of the regular season.

Why the NFL Preseason is Important

The NFL preseason kicked off on Thursday, August 2nd with the annual Hall of Fame game. The game itself is a matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens. While the game is considered to be a preseason game, it is still important for a number of reasons.

For the players

The preseason is important for players trying to earn a starting job or a roster spot because it’s their chance to prove themselves in game situations. For veterans, the preseason is a chance to shake off the rust and get back into playing shape after an offseason of training. Preseason games also give coaches a chance to evaluate players in game situations and decide who will be the best fit for their team.

For the teams

The NFL preseason is important for teams because it allows coaches and staff to evaluate talent and determine which players will make the final 53-man roster. It also gives players a chance to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL game. Preseason games are also used to Help settle position battles and give young players an opportunity to prove themselves.

How the NFL Preseason has Changed

The NFL preseason used to be four games long. That all changed in the new CBA agreement in 2011. The NFL preseason is now only two games long. Let’s take a look at how the NFL preseason has changed.

From 1978 to present

The NFL preseason has changed quite a bit since it started in 1978. In the early years, each team played six exhibition games, with four of those games being at home and two on the road. The pre-season lasted for four weeks, with two games being played in each of the first three weeks and one game in the fourth week.

The NFL preseason was reduced to four games in 1987 and then to three games in 1990. In 1994, the NFL eliminated one preseason game, resulting in a two-game schedule for each team. In 2012, the NFL further reduced the preseason by one game, leaving teams with only one home game and two road games.

The NFL preseason has also seen changes in how teams schedule their exhibition games. In the early years of the preseason, teams played mostly other teams from their own conference. But starting in 2002, the NFL started scheduling inter-conference games during the preseason. As a result, each team now plays one game against a team from another conference every year.

What the Future Holds for the NFL Preseason

The NFL preseason has been a controversial topic for many years now. Some people believe that the preseason is too long, while others believe that it’s not long enough. There are a few things that the NFL could do to change the preseason, but it’s hard to say what the future holds for the preseason.

Potential changes

The NFL preseason might look different in future years. There has been talk of reducing the number of preseason games or even eliminating them altogether. This would mean that teams would only play each other once during the regular season, which would reduce the amount of travel required and potentially lead to more competitive games. It remains to be seen whether these changes will be made, but it is possible that the NFL preseason will look quite different in the future.