NFL Owners Make Official Decision on ‘Thursday Night Football’ Flex Scheduling, per Report

The window has been subject to occasional criticism since debuting on the NFL Network in 2006.

A major change is reportedly coming to Thursday Night Football.

NFL owners voted 24–8 to approve a framework for Thursday Night Football scheduling, according to a Monday afternoon report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. At least 24 owners needed to vote yes on the proposal for it to pass.

According to Schefter, the Bears, Bengals, Lions, Packers, Raiders, Giants, Jets and Steelers all voted against the proposal, which first became public knowledge in March.

Flex scheduling has existed in the NFL in some form or fashion since 2006 when it was instituted to ensure Sunday Night Football and CBS or Fox’s late national game had postseason implications later in the season. This season, flex scheduling will include Monday Night Football with 12 days notice required for a potential move.

Flexing for Thursday Night Football just passed, 24-8, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2023

Giants, Jets, Packers, Bears, Raiders, Detroit, Bengals, Pittsburgh voted against it - to no avail.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2023

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Thursday Night Football flex scheduling will have to meet even stronger requirements. “It (will) only (apply) to Weeks 13-17, maximum of two flexes per season, and 28 days’ notice required,” Pelissero wrote.

NFL owners approved a modified proposal for flexing Thursday Night Football games, I’m told.

Restrictions: It only applied to Weeks 13-17, maximum of two flexes per season, and 28 days notice required. It’ll be a high bar.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 22, 2023

Since its institution, Thursday Night Football has been a frequent target of NFL observers and fans for frequently featuring low-quality football between teams often playing on just four days’ rest. Whether the prospect of better teams playing in the game will quell those concerns remains to be seen.