2018 NFL season - wikipedia 2018 NFL season 2018 National Football League season Regular season Duration September 6, 2018 ( 2018 - 09 - 06 ) -- December 30, 2018 ( 2018 - 12 - 30 ) Playoffs Start date January 5, 2019 Super Bowl LIII Date February 3, 2019 Site Mercedes - Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia Pro Bowl Date January 27, 2019 Site Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida ← 2017 NFL seasons The 2018 NFL season will be the 99th season of the National Football League ( NFL ). The season is set to begin on September 6, 2018 with the NFL Kickoff Game, to be hosted by the defending Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles. The season will conclude with Super Bowl LIII, the league 's championship game, on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes - Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Contents 1 Player movements 1.1 Free agency 1.2 Trades 1.3 Retirements 1.4 Draft 2 Officiating changes 3 Rule changes 4 2018 deaths 5 Preseason 6 Regular season 7 Postseason 8 Head coaching and front office personnel changes 8.1 Head coaches 8.1. 1 Offseason 8.2 Front office personnel 8.2. 1 Offseason 9 Stadiums 9.1 Carolina Panthers 9.2 Oakland Raiders 9.3 Naming rights agreements 9.3. 1 Denver Broncos 9.3. 2 Jacksonville Jaguars 10 Uniforms 11 Media 11.1 Broadcast rights 11.1. 1 Television 11.1. 2 Digital 11.1. 3 Radio 11.2 Personnel changes 11.3 Start time changes 12 References Player movements The 2018 NFL League year began on March 14. On March 12, clubs were allowed to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the agents of players who were to become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their contracts two days later. On March 9, clubs were allowed to exercise options for 2018 on players who have option clauses in their contracts, submit qualifying offers to their pending restricted free agents, and submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2017 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agent credit. Teams were required to be under the salary cap using the `` Top - 51 '' definition ( in which the 51 highest paid - players on the team 's payroll must have a collected salary cap hit below the actual cap ). The 2018 trading period also began March 14. Free agency Over 550 players were eligible for some form of free agency during the free agency period. Notable players to change teams include : Quarterbacks Sam Bradford ( Minnesota to Arizona ), Teddy Bridgewater ( Minnesota to New York Jets ) Kirk Cousins ( Washington to Minnesota ), Case Keenum ( Minnesota to Denver ), and A.J. McCarron ( Cincinnati to Buffalo ). Running backs Isaiah Crowell ( Cleveland to New York Jets ), Carlos Hyde ( San Francisco to Cleveland ), Dion Lewis ( New England to Tennessee ), and Jerick McKinnon ( Minnesota to San Francisco ) Wide receivers Allen Hurns ( Jacksonville to Dallas ), Jordy Nelson ( Green Bay to Oakland ), Allen Robinson ( Jacksonville to Chicago ), and Sammy Watkins ( Los Angeles Rams to Kansas City ) Tight ends Trey Burton ( Philadelphia to Chicago ), Jimmy Graham ( Seattle to Green Bay ), and Austin Seferian - Jenkins ( New York Jets to Jacksonville ) Offensive linemen Cameron Fleming ( New England to Dallas ), Andrew Norwell ( Carolina to Jacksonville ), Mike Pouncey ( Miami to Los Angeles Chargers ), Justin Pugh ( New York Giants to Arizona ), Weston Richburg ( New York Giants to San Francisco ), Nate Solder ( New England to New York Giants ), Josh Sitton ( Chicago to Miami ), and Travis Swanson ( Detroit to New York Jets ) Defensive linemen Adrian Clayborn ( Atlanta to New England ), Vinny Curry ( Philadelphia to Tampa Bay ), Sheldon Richardson ( Seattle to Minnesota ), Ndamukong Suh ( Miami to Los Angeles Rams ), and Muhammad Wilkerson ( New York Jets to Green Bay ) Linebackers Demario Davis ( New York Jets to New Orleans ), Trent Murphy ( Washington to Buffalo ), Tahir Whitehead ( Detroit to Oakland ) and Avery Williamson ( Tennessee to New York Jets ) Defensive backs Malcolm Butler ( New England to Tennessee ), Morgan Burnett ( Green Bay to Pittsburgh ), T.J. Carrie ( Oakland to Cleveland ), Ross Cockrell ( New York Giants to Carolina ), E.J. Gaines ( Buffalo to Cleveland ), Marcus Gilchrist ( Houston to Oakland ), Trumaine Johnson ( Los Angeles Rams to New York Jets ), Tyrann Mathieu ( Arizona to Houston ), Rashaan Melvin ( Indianapolis to Oakland ), Patrick Robinson ( Philadelphia Eagles to New Orleans ), and Richard Sherman ( Seattle to San Francisco ) Punter Marquette King ( Oakland to Denver ) Trades March 14 : Miami traded WR Jarvis Landry to Cleveland for a 2018 4th round selection ( 123rd overall ) and a 2019 7th round selection. March 14 : Buffalo traded QB Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland for a 2018 3rd round selection ( 65th overall ). March 14 : Buffalo traded T Cordy Glenn, a 2018 1st round selection ( 21st overall ), and a 2018 5th round selection ( 158th overall ) to Cincinnati for a 2018 1st round selection ( 12th overall ) and a 2018 6th round selection ( 187th overall ). March 14 : Green Bay traded CB Damarious Randall, a 2018 4th round selection ( 114th overall ), and a 2018 5th round selection ( 150th overall ) to Cleveland for QB DeShone Kizer, a 2018 4th round selection ( 101st overall ), and a 2018 5th round selection ( 138th overall ) March 14 : Cleveland traded DT Danny Shelton and a 2018 5th round selection ( 159th overall ) to New England for a 2019 3rd round selection. March 14 : Kansas City traded QB Alex Smith to Washington in exchange for CB Kendall Fuller and a 2018 3rd round selection ( 78th overall ). March 14 : Kansas City traded CB Marcus Peters and a 2018 6th round draft selection ( 196th overall ) to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2018 4th round selection ( 124th overall ) and a 2019 2nd round selection. March 14 : Denver traded CB Aqib Talib to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2018 5th round selection ( 160th overall ). March 14 : Denver traded QB Trevor Siemian and a 2018 7th round selection ( 225th overall ) to Minnesota for a 2019 5th round selection. March 14 : The Los Angeles Rams traded LB Alec Ogletree and a 2019 7th round draft selection to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2018 4th round selection ( 135th overall ) and a 2018 6th round selection ( 176th overall ). March 14 : The Los Angeles Rams traded DE Robert Quinn and a 2018 6th round selection to Miami in exchange for a 2018 4th round selection and a 2018 6th round selection. March 14 : Seattle traded DE Michael Bennett and a 2018 7th round selection to Philadelphia for WR Marcus Johnson and a 2018 5th round selection. March 14 : Philadelphia traded WR Torrey Smith to Carolina for CB Daryl Worley. March 15 : San Francisco traded C Daniel Kilgore and a 2018 7th round selection ( 227th overall ) to Miami in exchange for a 2018 7th round selection ( 223rd overall ). March 15 : Cleveland traded CB Jason McCourty and a 2018 7th round selection ( 219th overall ) to New England for a 2018 sixth round selection ( 205th overall ). March 18 : Oakland traded WR Cordarrelle Patterson and a 2018 6th round selection ( 210th overall ) to New England for a 2018 5th round selection ( 159th overall ). March 20 : Oakland traded FB Jamize Olawale and a 2018 sixth round selection ( 192nd overall ) to Dallas for a 2018 fifth round selection ( 173rd overall ). March 22 : The New York Giants traded DE Jason Pierre - Paul and their 2018 4th round selection ( 102nd overall ) to Tampa Bay in exchange for a 2018 3rd round selection ( 69th overall ) and a 2018 4th round selection ( 108th overall ). March 23 : Arizona traded T Jared Veldheer to Denver for a 2018 sixth round selection ( 182nd overall ). March 28 : Cleveland traded QB Cody Kessler to Jacksonville for a conditional 2019 7th round selection. March 29 : Washington traded S Su'a Cravens, a 2018 4th round selection ( 113th overall ), and a 2018 5th round selection ( 149th overall ) to Denver in exchange for a 2018 4th round selection ( 109th overall ), two 2018 5th round selections ( 142nd and 163rd overall ), and a conditional 2020 selection. April 3 : New England traded WR Brandin Cooks and a 2018 fourth round selection ( 136th overall ) to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2018 first round selection ( 23rd overall ) and a 2018 sixth round selection ( 198th overall ). April 6 : Cleveland traded QB Kevin Hogan and a 2018 6th round selection ( 205th overall ) to Washington in exchange for a 2018 6th round selection ( 188th overall ). Retirements Antonio Cromartie : The four - time Pro Bowler and one - time All - Pro cornerback, who shares the league record for most yards gained on a play ( 109 on a missed field goal return ) and led the league in interceptions 2008, announced his retirement after an 11 - year career. Cromartie played for the then - San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts over the course of his career, before spending the entire 2017 season as an unsigned free agent. Matt Forte : The 32 year old running back retired after 10 years, 8 with the Chicago Bears and 2 with the New York Jets. He was elected to 2 pro bowls. James Harrison : The 15 - year NFL veteran linebacker, four - time All - Pro and five - time Pro Bowler who spent the peak of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers announced his retirement, at the age of 39, on April 16. Richie Incognito announced his retirement April 10. The retirement was part of a string of erratic behavior and inconsistent statements on Incognito 's part, the only consistent thread being an ongoing contract dispute with his current team, the Buffalo Bills, who have listed him as retired on their roster. Incognito has appeared in four Pro Bowls over the course of a 12 - season career with the Bills, Miami Dolphins and then - St. Louis Rams, with most of his success coming in Buffalo. Carson Palmer : The 38 year old quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, who had previously played on the Cincinnati Bengals ( who drafted Palmer first overall in 2003 ) and Oakland Raiders, retired after the 2017 season. The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner appeared in three Pro Bowls, was a second team All - Pro in 2015, and led the NFL in passing yards in 2005. Joe Thomas : The ten - time Pro Bowler and seven - time All - Pro offensive tackle retired after an 11 - year career with the Cleveland Browns, a career in which he spent much of that time as the Browns ' franchise player in an era where the team otherwise performed poorly on the field. A deteriorating left knee contributed to Thomas 's retirement. Eric Wood : The starting center and team captain for the Buffalo Bills, who had played his entire nine - year career with the Bills, was forced into retirement after the 2017 season when he failed his exit physical. Wood appeared in the 2015 Pro Bowl. Other players Martellus Bennett Joe Berger David Harris Gabe Ikard Fred Jackson Donnie Jones Thad Lewis Kellen Moore Paul Posluszny Connor Shaw Zach Strief Aaron Williams Danny Woodhead Draft Further information : 2018 NFL Draft The 2018 NFL Draft will be held from April 26 to 28. It will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This is the first draft to take place in an NFL stadium, and the first to be held in Texas. The Cleveland Browns have the first overall pick. Officiating changes Ed Hochuli : At the time of his retirement, Hochuli was the league 's longest - tenured referee, having served with the league for 28 seasons, 26 as a head referee. He will be succeeded by his son, Shawn Hochuli. Jeff Triplette : Triplette had spent 22 years as an official with the NFL, 19 as a head referee, and was pushed into retirement after experiencing confusion in several games late in the 2017 season. Alex Kemp will replace Triplette. Rule changes The following playing rule changes have been approved by the Competition Committee for the 2018 season : Make permanent the current rule that changes the spot of the ball after a touchback on a kickoff to the 25 yard line. Prior to 2016, the ball was placed at the 20 yard line. Update the standards for a `` catch '' to have : Two feet down or any body part other than the hands Control of the ball Make a `` football move '' such as making a 3rd step, reaching / extending to the line to gain, tucking the ball away, warding off defensive players, or have the ability to perform such an act. The rule for receivers who were going to the ground during the catch process has been deleted. This is in response to several issues regarding the `` going to the ground '' rule, especially catches by Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant in the 2014 NFL playoffs and one by Pittsburgh Steelers TE Jesse James in 2017 that were overturned due to this rule. Allow a designated member of the officiating department ( NFL Senior VP of Officiating Al Riveron ) to instruct game officials to eject any player who commits a flagrant non-football act on the field for a foul called on the field. This is in response to a situation where New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski intentionally inflicted a late hit on Buffalo Bills defensive back Tre'Davious White causing a concussion to White. Gronkowski was not ejected for the foul on the field, but did receive a one - game suspension after the NFL 's review of the play. Players will be penalized 15 yards ( and possibly ejected ) for lowering the helmet to initiate and make contact against an opposing player. Illegally batting a ball on a scrimmage down will incur a loss of down in addition to the previous 10 yard penalty. In overtime, when a team is ahead by 3 points, a down will run to its conclusion and all applicable points will score, even if there is a loss of possession. Previously, the offense of the trailing team could not legally score if they lost and regained possession and reached the opponent 's end zone all on the same play. The rule remains that if there is a double change of possession on a play with one team in the lead, it is the last play of the game. If a team scores a touchdown on the final play of regulation which gives them the victory, no extra-point conversion try will be needed. The following bylaws and resolutions were passed : Make permanent the liberalization of workout rules for draft prospects. For a one - year trial period, liberalize the rules for re-signing a player on waivers. Players on injured reserve can be traded. Players with injuries deemed major can be placed directly on injured reserve without clearing waivers. The 10 - day postseason waiver claiming period has been reduced to 24 hours. Players can be activated from injured reserve after eight games instead of eight weeks. Teams have seven business days to complete an injury settlement instead of five. Players in certain reserve list categories can not be reinstated after a team 's week 13 game. This restriction was previously applied to the last 30 days of the regular season. Clarify roster procedures for players with military obligations. For a one - year trial period, teams may contact a player who has been publicly announced to be released before the NFL lists the transaction on a Player Personnel Notice. 2018 deaths The following people associated with the NFL ( or AFL ) have passed on in 2018. Grady Alderman Tom Benson Jim Garrett Chris Gedney Wayne Huizenga David Humm Edwin Jackson Jeremy Nunley Clyde Scott Frank Varrichione Preseason This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( January 2018 ) Training Camps for the 2018 season will be held in late July through August. Teams start training camp no earlier than 15 days before the team 's first scheduled preseason game. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, which will feature the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears, will be played on Thursday, August 2 ; it will be televised nationally by NBC. The Ravens, who will be making their first ever Hall of Fame Game appearance, are represented in the 2018 Hall of Fame class by former linebacker Ray Lewis, while the Bears are represented by former linebacker Brian Urlacher. Regular season The 2018 regular season 's 256 games will be played over a 17 - week schedule which will begin on September 6. Each of the league 's 32 teams plays a 16 - game schedule, with one bye week for each team. The slate also features games on Monday Nights. There are games played on Thursday, including the National Football League Kickoff game in prime time on September 6 and games on Thanksgiving Day. The regular season will conclude with a full slate games of 16 games on December 30, all of which will be intra-division matchups, as it has been since 2010. Scheduling formula Under the NFL 's current scheduling formula, each team plays the other three teams in its own division twice. In addition a team plays against all four teams in one other division from each conference. The final two games on a team 's schedule are against the two team 's in the team 's own conference in the divisions the team was not set to play which finished the previous season in the same rank in their division ( e.g. the team which finished first in its division the previous season would play each other team in its conference that also finished first in its respective division ). The preset division pairings for 2018 will be as follows. Intra-conference AFC East vs AFC South AFC West vs AFC North NFC East vs NFC South NFC West vs NFC North Inter-conference AFC East vs NFC North AFC North vs NFC South AFC South vs NFC East AFC West vs NFC West The entire season schedule will be released on April 19, 2018. Highlights of the 2018 season include : NFL Kickoff Game : The 2018 season will begin with the Kickoff Game on September 6 at 8 : 30 p.m. EDT. The game will feature the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles as the home team, and will be televised on NBC. NFL International Series : NFL London Games : Three games will be played in London in 2018. This will be the first season of a 10 - year agreement to play at least one game per season at the new Tottenham Stadium, where the Oakland Raiders will host the Seattle Seahawks on October 14. Two more games will be played at Wembley Stadium, with the Jacksonville Jaguars hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on October 28, and the Los Angeles Chargers hosting the Tennessee Titans on October 21. This will be the first time the London games will be played on three consecutive weeks, a move the league has taken to try to streamline their London operations. NFL Mexico Game : The NFL will play one game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in 2018, in accordance with an agreement the league announced in November 2017 to play one game at that venue each year through 2021. The game will feature the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. The game will be held on Monday, November 19, and will be televised on ESPN. Postseason Main article : 2018 -- 19 NFL playoffs The 2018 playoffs will begin on the weekend of January 5 -- 6, 2019 with the Wild Card Playoff round the four winners of these playoff games will visit the top two seeds in each conference of the Divisional round games the weekend of January 12 - 13, 2019. The winners of those games will advance to the Conference championship games on January 20, 2019. The 2019 Pro Bowl will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on January 27, 2019. Super Bowl LIII will be held on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes - Benz Stadium in Atlanta on CBS. Head coaching and front office personnel changes Head coaches Offseason Team 2017 head coach 2018 replacement Reason for leaving Story / accomplishments Arizona Cardinals Bruce Arians Steve Wilks Retired Arians retired from coaching following the 2017 season, finishing the season with a record of 8 -- 8 (. 500 ) and a cumulative record of 49 -- 30 -- 1 (. 619 ) with two playoff appearances. Wilks was hired on January 22, after serving as a defensive coach for the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, and Carolina Panthers since 2006. Wilks ' only previous head coaching experience was at Savannah State in 1999. Chicago Bears John Fox Matt Nagy Fired Fox was fired after the final game of the 2017 season, finishing the season with a record of 5 -- 11 (. 313 ) and a cumulative record of 14 -- 34 (. 292 ) with no playoff appearances. Nagy spent the past five seasons as an offensive assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs, the last two as offensive coordinator ; the Bears hired Nagy on January 8 and this will be his first NFL head coaching job. Detroit Lions Jim Caldwell Matt Patricia Caldwell was fired after the final game of the 2017 season, finishing the season with a record of 9 -- 7 (. 563 ) and a cumulative record of 36 -- 28 (. 563 ) with two playoff appearances, but having never won a playoff game as head coach of the Lions. Patricia was hired on February 5, the day after losing Super Bowl LII as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator. He had spent his entire NFL career with the Patriots, starting in 2004 as an offensive assistant before working his way up to defensive coordinator in 2012, winning 3 Super Bowls. This will be his first head coaching job. Indianapolis Colts Chuck Pagano Frank Reich Pagano was fired after the final game of the 2017 season, finishing the season with a record of 4 -- 12 (. 250 ), his first losing season as Colts ' head coach, and a cumulative record of 53 -- 43 (. 552 ) with three playoff appearances. The Colts signed Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who was previously a Colts ' assistant from 2008 -- 2011. This will be Reich 's first head coaching job. New York Giants Ben McAdoo Pat Shurmur McAdoo became the Giants ' head coach in 2016, leading the Giants to a 13 -- 15 (. 464 ) record over parts of two seasons with one playoff appearance. After accruing a 2 -- 10 (. 167 ) record and benching starter Eli Manning during the season, he was fired on December 4, 2017, and replaced in the interim by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who was previously the St. Louis Rams ' head coach from 2009 to 2011. Shurmur was announced as the Giants ' new head coach on January 22. He had previously served as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2011 to 2012, compiling a record of 9 -- 23 (. 281 ), and an offensive coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings since 2013. Oakland Raiders Jack Del Rio Jon Gruden Del Rio was fired after the final game of the 2017 season, finishing the season with a record of 6 -- 10 (. 375 ) and a cumulative record of 25 -- 23 (. 521 ) with one playoff appearance. Gruden, who previously coached the Raiders from 1998 to 2001, confirmed on - air on January 6, that he would be returning to the team as coach. He had spent the previous nine seasons as an on - air analyst for Monday Night Football. Tennessee Titans Mike Mularkey Mike Vrabel Mutual decision Mularkey and the Titans agreed to part ways after they `` could n't come to an agreement over the future, '' two days after the Titans ' playoff loss to the Patriots. Mularkey had a cumulative record of 20 -- 21 (. 488 ) with one playoff appearance in parts of three seasons with the Titans and guided Tennessee to back - to - back 9 -- 7 records in his two years as the team 's full - time head coach. Vrabel spent the past three seasons as a defensive assistant with the Houston Texans, the last as defensive coordinator ; the Titans hired Vrabel on January 20 and this will be his first NFL head coaching job. Front office personnel Offseason Team Position 2017 office holder 2017 interim 2018 replacement Reason for leaving Notes Cleveland Browns VP / GM Sashi Brown John Dorsey Fired Brown was fired on December 7, 2017. He had been the team 's attorney since 2013 and de facto general manager since 2016. Dorsey was named the new general manager hours later. Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson Brian Gutekunst Reassigned Thompson, who had been the team 's general manager since 2005, became the team 's senior advisor to football operations. Brian Gutekunst, who had been the team 's director of player personnel since 2016, was promoted to become the team 's new general manager on January 7. Houston Texans GM Rick Smith Brian Gaine Medical leave Smith announced that he would take a leave of absence to care for his wife, who is battling breast cancer. He will remain Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Former Buffalo Bills ' vice president of player personnel, Brian Gaine, was named the new general manager on January 13, 2018. Previously, Gaine was Texans ' director of pro personnel and then director of player personnel from 2014 to 2016. New York Giants GM Jerry Reese Kevin Abrams Dave Gettleman Fired Having been in the organization since 1994, Reese was the Giants ' general manager since 2007, leading them to two Super Bowl championships and several years of success. He was fired on December 4 along with head coach Ben McAdoo. He was replaced in the interim by former Detroit Lions cornerback Kevin Abrams, who has no previous front office experience. Dave Gettleman, previously general manager of the Carolina Panthers and a 14 - year veteran of the Giants ' front office ( from 1999 to 2012 ), was hired on December 28, 2017. Stadiums Two teams, the Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders, are entering the final year of their lease agreements with their current stadium. Carolina Panthers On December 17, 2017, Jerry Richardson, the Panthers ' founding owner, announced he was putting the team up for sale. Richardson had previously indicated the team would be put up for sale after his death, but Richardson was accused of paying hush money to cover up questionable conduct, including racial slurs and sexually suggestive requests of employees, hastening Richardson 's decision. The Panthers ' lease on Bank of America Stadium expires after the 2018 season, which would allow any incoming owner to relocate the team out of Charlotte to another market if they so desired, only being liable for the remaining debt from stadium renovation. At an estimated $35 million, the debt payment would be a small expense compared to the relocation fee the NFL charged for the two teams that relocated in 2016 and 2017. Oakland Raiders Main article : Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas The Raiders, prior to the 2017 season, committed to relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada once a new stadium is constructed for them in 2020. In 2016, the Raiders signed a three - year extension with the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders could choose to stay in the Oakland Coliseum for 2019 with another year - to - year extension or move to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, which is undersized but ( because of the Los Angeles Chargers ' use of the even smaller StubHub Center ) would not be the smallest stadium in the NFL. Raiders owner Mark Davis would like to begin playing preseason games in Sam Boyd Stadium as soon as 2018. Management at the Oakland Coliseum has indicated they are unwilling to extend their agreement with the Raiders after 2018, which could force the team to move to Sam Boyd Stadium in 2019. In order to secure another season in Oakland, Coliseum management indicated in September 2017 that the Raiders would need to offer major concessions to compensate for the financial losses the Coliseum incurs by hosting Raiders games. Naming rights agreements Denver Broncos The Broncos hope to resolve the two - season long naming rights situation for the field at Mile High Stadium II by the start of the 2018 pre-season ; in the meantime, all exterior and interior signage for the defunct sporting goods chain Sports Authority has been or is in the process of being removed from the stadium, though ticketed events will continue to print the name `` Sports Authority Field at Mile High. '' Jacksonville Jaguars On February 16, EverBank Field, the home field of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was renamed TIAA Bank Field, after TIAA 's 2017 acquisition of EverBank. The naming rights agreement was for 10 years and $43 million. Uniforms On April 11, the league announced that the Color Rush alternate jersey program would be discontinued. The Tennessee Titans introduced new uniforms on April 4. Most prominent among the changes is the helmet, which is changing from the white color the team had used since the 1970s ( as the Houston Oilers ) to navy blue. The color patterns are also simplified, with a new number typeface inspired both by Greek lettering and the shape of the state of Tennessee. On April 9, The Green Bay Packers unveiled a patch to commemorate their 100th season On April 19, the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars both unvealed new uniforms. The Dolphins altered their jerseys to more take after their classic aqua - and - orange look, while Jacksonville simplified their uniforms to resemble their original teal blue jerseys used in their early years. Media Broadcast rights Television This will be the fifth year under the current broadcast contracts with ESPN, CBS, Fox, and NBC. This includes `` cross-flexing '' ( switching ) Sunday afternoon games between CBS and Fox before or during the season ( regardless of the conference of the visiting team ). NBC will continue to air Sunday Night Football, the annual Kickoff game, and the primetime Thanksgiving game. ESPN will continue to air Monday Night Football and the Pro Bowl. CBS will broadcast Super Bowl LIII. On January 31, the NFL announced that Fox had acquired the broadcast television rights to the Thursday Night Football package under a five - year deal ( aligned with the remainder of the NFL 's current broadcast contracts ). Fox will air 11 games, along with the 2018 NFL Draft ( the first time the event has ever aired on over-the - air television ), in simulcast with NFL Network, with the remaining games in the package airing exclusively on NFL Network to satisfy its carriage contracts. CBS and NBC had made bids to renew their previous contracts ( CBS had held the rights since 2014, joined by NBC since 2016 ), but were reluctant to pay a higher rights fee due to the league 's ratings downturn. Digital After several years in which Verizon held exclusive rights to carry NFL Internet broadcasts on mobile devices 7 inches ( 18 cm ) or less in size ( opting to only make them available to its own wireless subscribers ), the 2018 season will be the first in which any device will be allowed to access those broadcasts. Verizon will still hold rights to stream all nationally televised games, as well as in - market Sunday afternoon games ; instead of only distributing them to its own subscribers, its numerous Internet brands ( such as Yahoo !, which exclusively carried two International Series games in 2015 and 2017, along with AOL, go90, complex.com ) will carry the games to all devices. Similarly to 2016 and 2017, the Thursday Night Football games aired by Fox will also be sub-licensed to a secondary digital rightsholder. Radio Both of the NFL 's national radio contracts, Westwood One for English language and Entravision for Spanish language, expired after the 2017 season. Westwood One 's parent company Cumulus Media filed for bankruptcy in November 2017 and began terminating national broadcast contracts in January 2018, decreasing the likelihood that they will renew their contract. Personnel changes With Jon Gruden 's departure from Monday Night Football to return to coaching, ESPN will introduce a fully new broadcast team for the series. Joe Tessitore will replace Sean McDonough as lead play - by - play man, with the new color analyst yet to be announced and McDonough remaining with ESPN primarily as a college football announcer. Recently retired Joe Thomas is a candidate for the ESPN color commentator position, or as a potential member of a Fox three - person booth. Start time changes On April 18, 2018, The NFL announced that the start times for Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football broadcasts will be moved up 5 - 15 minutes. 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Monday Morning Quarterback. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 19, 2018. Jump up ^ Eric Wood 's statement on his career - ending injury. The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 26, 2018. Jump up ^ Bergman, Jeremy. `` Martellus Bennett retiring from NFL after 10 seasons ''. NFL.com. Retrieved 24 March 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` Joe Berger announces retirement after 13 seasons ''. NFL.com. Retrieved 24 March 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin ( March 5, 2018 ). `` Former Jets LB David Harris retiring after 11 seasons ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ https://twitter.com/GabeIkard/status/982017345181966337 Jump up ^ `` Fred Jackson working on one - day contract to retire with Bills ''. WKBW - TV. April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Chip Kelly adds to his UCLA staff with four hires ''. SI.com. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 25. Jump up ^ `` By Adding Kellen Moore, Cowboys Eager To Keep Continuity Around Dak ''. Dallas Cowboys. 2018 - 01 - 23. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 25. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin ( March 13, 2018 ). `` Jaguars LB Paul Posluszny announces retirement ''. NFL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018. Jump up ^ Asberry, Derrek. `` Former Gamecock QB Connor Shawjoins Furman coaching staff ''. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 09. Jump up ^ Williams, Aaron ( January 31, 2018 ). To Buffalo. The Players ' Tribune. Retrieved January 31, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Danny Woodhead announces retirement after 10 years ''. NFL.com. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 17. Jump up ^ `` Dallas, AT&T Stadium chosen as site of 2018 NFL draft ''. espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved October 18, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` NFL referees Ed Hochuli, Jeff Triplette retiring ''. NFL.com. Retrieved March 6, 2018. Jump up ^ `` NFL Owners approve new catch rule by 32 - 0 vote ''. espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved March 27, 2018. Jump up ^ Austro, Ben ( March 28, 2018 ). `` Required extra-point attempts in walk - off situations ''. Quirky Research. Retrieved March 29, 2018. Jump up ^ Pokorny, Chris ( March 29, 2018 ). `` List of NFL Bylaw / Resolution Changes for the 2018 Season ''. Dawgs By Nature. Retrieved March 29, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Ravens to play Bears in 2018 Hall of Fame Game ''. nfl.com. Retrieved February 13, 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` Who will Eagles face to kick off 2018 NFL season ? ''. nfl.com. NFL. Retrieved 5 February 2018. Jump up ^ Seifert, Kevin. `` NFL reduces London slate to 3 games in 2018 ; to be played in consecutive weeks ''. espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved January 11, 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` NFL announces three enticing London 2018 matchups ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Around the NFL staff. `` NFL announces times, dates for 2018 London games ''. nfl.com. NFL. Retrieved 19 April 2018. Jump up ^ Sessler, Marc. `` Bruce Arians retires after five seasons with Cardinals ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` Arizona Cardinals hire Steve Wilks as head coach ''. nfl.com. NFL. Retrieved January 22, 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` Chicago Bears fire coach John Fox after 5 - 11 season ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` Matt Nagy named head coach of Chicago Bears ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018. Jump up ^ Rothstein, Michael. `` Lions fire head coach Jim Caldwell after 4 seasons ''. espn.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018. Jump up ^ Rothstein, Michaelo. `` Lions officially name Matt Patricia as head coach ''. espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved February 5, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Indianapolis Colts fire Chuck Pagano after 4 - 12 year ''. NFL.com. Retrieved December 31, 2017. Jump up ^ Knoblauch, Austin. `` Indianapolis Colts hire Frank Reich to be next coach ''. nfl.com. NFL. Retrieved February 11, 2018. Jump up ^ Raanan, Jordan. `` Giants fire coach Ben McAdoo, GM Jerry Reese in midst of lost season ''. espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved December 4, 2017. Jump up ^ Raanan, Jordan. `` Pat Shurmur named as head coach of Giants ''. espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved January 22, 2018. Jump up ^ Shook, Nick. `` Oakland Raiders fire head coach Jack Del Rio ''. NFL.com. Retrieved December 31, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Oakland Raiders hire Jon Gruden as head coach ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 6, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Titans, Mike Mularkey mutually agree to part ways ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018. Jump up ^ Shook, Nick. `` Tennessee Titans name Mike Vrabel new head coach ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018. Jump up ^ Sessler, Marc ( December 7, 2017 ). `` Browns fire VP Sashi Brown after 1 - 27 record in 2 years ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018. Jump up ^ Sessler, Marc ( December 7, 2017 ). `` Cleveland Browns name John Dorsey general manager ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018. Jump up ^ Rosenthal, Gregg. `` Ted Thompson named advisor to Packers football ops ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2017. Jump up ^ Wesseling, Chris. `` Packers hiring Brian Gutekunst as general manager ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018. Jump up ^ Shook, Nick ( January 1, 2017 ). `` Houston Texans GM Rick Smith taking leave of absence ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Texans give Bill O'Brien extension, hire GM Brian Gaine ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018. Jump up ^ Sessler, Marc. `` New York Giants fire general manager Jerry Reese ''. nfl.com. NFL. Retrieved December 5, 2017. Jump up ^ Knoblauch, Austin ( December 28, 2017 ). `` Giants name Dave Gettleman their general manager ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Jerry Richardson will put Carolina Panthers up for sale ''. Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 17 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Jerry Richardson selling Panthers franchise amid misconduct allegations ''. SB Nation. Retrieved December 17, 2017. Jump up ^ Source : Richardson mandates Panthers be sold after death. WBTV, 2013 - 01 - 16 Jump up ^ Wertheim, L. Jon ; Bernstein, Viv. `` Sources : Jerry Richardson, Panthers Have Made Multiple Confidential Payouts for Workplace Misconduct, Including Sexual Harassment and Use of a Racial Slur ''. Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 18 December 2017. Jump up ^ Portillo, Ely ( 2014 - 07 - 23 ). `` Carolina Panthers rule out more public cash for stadium ''. Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 2015 - 02 - 25. Jump up ^ Weaver ( 2017 - 12 - 18 ). `` Moving Panthers from Charlotte would be costly for next owner ''. USA Todayfirst = Tim. Retrieved 2017 - 12 - 26. Jump up ^ `` Raiders sign 1 - year lease, will stay in Oakland in 2016 : 3 things to know ''. CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 18, 2016. Jump up ^ Breech, John ( October 19, 2016 ). `` Goodell wants Raiders in Oakland, while Davis wants game in Vegas in 2017 ''. CBS Sports. Retrieved March 28, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Oakland Coliseum director sounds like he wants Raiders out immediately ''. CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Raiders could remain at Oakland stadium in 2019 after all ''. LasVegasSun.com. 2017 - 09 - 14. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 06. Jump up ^ Kirk, Alexander ( 13 March 2018 ). `` Crews remove ' Sports Authority ' signs from inside stadium ''. KUSA. Retrieved 16 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` Sports Authority Field Signage Removed From Inside Mile High Stadium ''. KCNC - TV. CBS Television Stations. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018. Jump up ^ Heilman, Phillip ( February 16, 2018 ). `` New name for Jaguars ' stadium : TIAA Bank Field ''. The Florida Times - Union. Retrieved February 16, 2018. Jump up ^ `` NFL ditching Color Rush uniforms for Thursday Night Football ''. MSN.com. April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018. Jump up ^ http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23033027/tennessee-titans-including-marcus-mariota-unveil-team-new-uniforms-broadway-nashville Jump up ^ Ryman, Richard ( 9 April 2018 ). `` Packers celebrate 100 seasons with festivals, concerts, documentary and more ''. Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved 10 April 2018. Jump up ^ `` Miami Dolphins unveil updated, simpler uniforms ''. NFL.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 19. Jump up ^ `` Jacksonville Jaguars unveil new old - school look ''. NFL.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 19. Jump up ^ Draper, Kevin ( 14 February 2018 ). `` Fox to Broadcast N.F.L. Draft for First Time ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 14 February 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` Fox gets Thursday Night Football through ' 22 ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 31. Jump up ^ Bonesteel, Matt ( 2018 - 01 - 31 ). `` ' Thursday Night Football ' will move to Fox next season ''. Washington Post. ISSN 0190 - 8286. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 31. Jump up ^ Ourand, John ( December 22, 2017 ). `` NFL RFP Suggests League Is Open To Changing `` TNF '' Package ``. Sports Business Journal. Retrieved January 16, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Fox Is Trying to Win the Rights to Thursday NFL Games ''. Bloomberg.com. 2018 - 01 - 16. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 17. Jump up ^ Rovell, Darren ( December 11, 2017 ). `` Verizon, NFL agree to new 5 - year deal worth nearly $2.5 billion ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017. Jump up ^ `` NFL and Dial Global Agree on New Multi-Year Extension ''. Dial Global Sports. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Entravision inks three - year radio deal with the NFL ''. L.A. Biz. American City Business Journals. September 11, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Cumulus Strikes Restructuring Deal -- Using Chapter 11 Process ''. Insideradio.com. Retrieved 2017 - 11 - 30. Jump up ^ O'Connor, Larry ( January 22, 2018 ). `` Don Imus to end legendary radio career ''. Jump up ^ `` Cumulus Seeks To Cancel WLUP / WKQX LMA Purchase ; And Chicago PBP Deals '' from Radio Insight ( January 19, 2018 ) Jump up ^ `` Sean McDonough out as Monday Night Football voice ''. SI.com. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Joe Tessitore to replace Sean McDonough as ' Monday Night Football ' play - by - play man ''. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 10. 2018 NFL season AFC East North South West East North South West NFC Buffalo Baltimore Houston Denver Dallas Chicago Atlanta Arizona Miami Cincinnati Indianapolis Kansas City NY Giants Detroit Carolina LA Rams New England Cleveland Jacksonville LA Chargers Philadelphia Green Bay New Orleans San Francisco NY Jets Pittsburgh Tennessee Oakland Washington Minnesota Tampa Bay Seattle Draft NFL Honors Pro Bowl Super Bowl LIII National Football League seasons Early era ( 1920 -- 1969 ) 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Modern era ( 1970 -- present ) 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 2017 2018 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2018_NFL_season&oldid=837279489 '' Categories : 2018 National Football League season National Football League seasons Hidden categories : Pages using div col with deprecated parameters Articles needing additional references from January 2018 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Français Italiano 日本 語 Português Edit links This page was last edited on 19 April 2018, at 20 : 49. 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Question: when does the new league year start for nfl
Answer: September 6, 2018