A Logistical Hurdle For Packers, Could Aid Browns Push For Brazil Game

The NFL is expected to chosoe between the Browns and Packers to be the Eagles opponent for their season opening international game in Brazil.

Mar 26, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to media during the annual / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Within the next week the Browns should know if they'll be heading to Sao Paulo, Brazil to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.

The decision is down to two teams, Cleveland and the Green Bay Packers, something that was confirmed this week at the NFL's annual owner's meetings. People inside the Browns organization have expressed a desire to participate in the first of it's kind international showcase. That may or may not help their case with the NFL, a Packers logistical hurdle could be a factor however.

Speaking at the owner's meetings earlier this week, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy brought up a unique circumstance that the Packers have to deal with, which could make their potential travel arrangements more complicated than most other teams.

“We’re very supportive of international play,” Murphy said. “The one issue with Green Bay, though, is the size of our airport and the size of our runway. We want to make sure we’re not at a competitive disadvantage in terms of how long it will take us to get to Brazil. There’s some thought we might have to bus to Milwaukee and then fly."

The Packer currently fly out of Green Bay's Austin Straubel Airport for all their domestic travel throughout the season. An international flight would obvious require a much larger plane than what the city's local airport can accommodate. That may explain why the Packers have only played in one international game to this point.

Cleveland has also only played in one international game, which came back in 2017 against the Vikings.