J.J. Watt Gave Two Simple Reasons Why NFL Flexing Thursday Night Games Would Be a ‘Terrible' Idea

The NFL can’t do this to its players or its fans.

The NFL made a big schedule change Wednesday at the owners meetings when it was announced that teams could play two Thursday night games per season, instead of the one game that was the previous limit. 

A decision on one other possible major change—a proposal allowing Thursday Night Football games to be flexed—was pushed back until May, the league said. 

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was not a fan about possibly playing two Thursday night games in a season, and neither was former NFL star J.J. Watt. 

Watt, who retired after last season, gave two very simple reasons why that would be a bad idea: 

Flexing games from Sunday to Thursday is a terrible idea for two main reasons:

1) Player Safety

You can’t make this decision and also preach that player safety is a priority.

2) Fans

People spending hard earned money to see their team play. Who’s paying to change their plans?

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 29, 2023

Both of those reasons make a lot of sense. 

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the league has "pushed hard for it" but teams have not liked it: 

The Thursday Night Football flex rule was tabled until May, per NFL chief media officer Brian Rolapp. My understanding the league office, and Roger Goodell in particular, pushed hard for it, but there’s been pushback from teams.

Tabling it means they don’t have the votes yet.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 28, 2023

My understanding is the vote count in the room (no official vote was taken) for the tabled TNF flex proposal was as follows …

• 22 owners for it.
• 8 owners against it.
• 2 owners abstaining.

We’ll see if Roger Goodell, who was pushing for it, can get to 24 votes in May.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 29, 2023

Lots of NFL fans agreed with Watt. 

JJ is right about #2…

What happens when my Family is all excited to see our Fav team play on Sunday at 1pm later in the season (pick any week)… we’ve got travel plans and expensive tickets!

Now the NFL changes the matchup to Thursday!

That’s a school night 😔 PLANS RUINED!! https://t.co/KcLk8R3qs9

— Chad Landers (@ChadLSportsGuy) March 29, 2023

This 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 https://t.co/binOzdLZuu

— Mike Vara (@VaraSells) March 29, 2023

Make him Commissioner. https://t.co/5inlFq4em0

— John Isner (@BigJohnIsner) March 29, 2023

Stop making too much sense, JJ. The #NFL likes to upset the fans https://t.co/F6mYIsOnPk

— Joey (@YoeyBerg) March 29, 2023