Did Packers President Reveal Browns Won't Be Playing In Brazil Week 1?

The NFL is expected to announce is the Browns or Packers will play the Eagles in a new international matchup in Brazil any day now.

Dec 17, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers president and Chief Executive Officer Mark Murphy / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns may not be opening up the 2024 season in Brazil after all.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy seemed to drop an interesting breadcrumb suggesting his team, not the Browns, would be headed to São Paulo to face the Eagles in Week 1.

"We're either the first or second most popular team in Brazil," Murphy reportedly said. The comments seem to suggest that the NFL is looking to maximize the Packers popularity in the South American nation as part of their newest international game.

Based on Packers president Mark Murphy’s comments this morning, it sounds like they’re preparing to open the season in Brazil against the Eagles.

Speaking before the annual Tailgate Tour departed, Murphy said: “We’re either the first- or second-most popular team in Brazil.” pic.twitter.com/AObENaLxtV

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) April 9, 2024

For what it's worth, Murphy did go on to add – according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, that they're expecting an announcement any day now from the league, expressing that it's a big deal for the league and that they'll "gladly" accept the invitation.

That represents almost a 180 stance on the subject for Murphy from several weeks back, where he suggest that some logistical hurdles with Green Bay's smaller airport may make international travel more difficult for his team.

Meanwhile, the Browns have actually expressed a desire to participate in the international showdown with Philadelphia. If Cleveland is chosen however, it would likely force it to begin the season with back-to-back road games due to the Billy Joel, Rod Stewart concert slated for the Friday of Week 2. That event makes turning around the stadium in time for a Sunday game nearly impossible.

The Brazil game is slated to be played one week prior to that concert on Friday, Sept. 6, making it not only a first-of-its-kind international game but also the NFL's first opening week, Friday night contest since 1970.

Both the Packers and Browns have participated in just one international game to this point, since the league began the practice in 2007. An official announcement on which team will be featured alongside the Eagles should be made very soon.