Goodell happy with state of game
PHOENIX – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at his annual news conference before the Super Bowl, said the game of football “has never been better.”
“We’re so excited about the competition,” Goodell said.
Goodell noted 50% of the 2022 division winners and playoff teams were new teams, while the quarterback position is an “incredible strength to our future.”
“You can never turn a game off, which is great for me, and great for our fans,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
More highlights from Goodell’s state of the NFL news conference:
Washington Commanders
Goodell did not provide a definite answer regarding the Washington Commanders, their pending sale or their workplace environment.
The NFL’s investigation into the Commanders work environment, fostered by owner Daniel Snyder, remains under investigation by independent league investigator Mary Jo White.
“There is no timeline given to Mary Jo White,” Goodell said. “She is authorized to work independently. There is no timeline for her to come to any conclusions.”
Regarding the potential sale of the Commanders, which Goodell acknowledged, he said: “The Commanders are under a process. That’s their process. Ultimately if they reach a conclusion and have someone who will be joining the ownership group or buying the team entirely,
that’s something ownership will look at.”
Officiating
that (league)
Goodell disagreed with the notion from coaches (such as the Titans’ Mike Vrabel) and players (such as Aaron Rodgers) that the league has an issue with its pipeline of officiating talent.
“When you look at officiating, I don’t think it’s ever been better in the league,” said the commissioner.
“Our officials do an extraordinary job.
… Are there mistakes? Yes.”
Goodell noted a constant evaluation process but didn’t feel too many experienced referees left for better-paying television jobs.
“We think our officials are doing a great job. We’ll always look (at performance),” said Goodell, “How do we improve our officiating?”
He also suggested it will always be impossible for officials to be 100% accurate. “The reality is, our officials are held to an incredibly high standard,” Goodell said. “And they meet it.”
NFL diversity remains one of the top topics of concern as the number of diverse owners and head coaches remains low while there has been an increase in team presidents and general managers.
“We believe diversity makes us stronger. It’s about giving us the best chance to be successful,” Goodell said.
Goodell said the NFL’s accelerated program, which began last year and has introduced talented candidates to teams, is already working. “I think it’s ultimately attributed to the candidates and to our clubs really looking at their processes and changing their processes to identifying the best talent,” Goodell said.
He added: “It’s never enough. I still feel like there’s better work and more work ahead of us.”
Concussions
While acknowledging the rate of concussions leaguewide increased in 2022, Goodell was proud of the league’s ability to quickly modify rules to govern them, the Tua Tagovailoa situation being an example. He also had other suggestions for improvement.
“I think there’s more work to be done with helmets,” said Goodell. “How do we improve those helmets?
“I think the other part of it is rules – taking the head out of the game.”
“Total injures were down 6% this year,” said Goodell, juxtaposing overall injuries to the rising numbers of concussions.
He also pushed back on the notion that players are more at risk of being hurt on Thursday night games.