Commissioner Roger Goodell delivered his annual press conference from New Orleans, the venue for Super Bowl LIX, discussing a variety of topics:

Justin Tucker

Goodell expressed surprise at the allegations against Justin Tucker, stating, “There’s also a process to that, both civil and potentially criminal.” He emphasized the seriousness of the accusations while assuring that the NFL would conduct its own investigations without interfering with any legal processes.

18-Game Season

Although Goodell noted that no formal discussions had occurred regarding an extension of the regular season to 18 games, he acknowledged the possibility remains, stating, “If we do, 18 and two (preseason games) might be a possibility.” He underlined the importance of taking a careful approach to any potential changes.

Diversity Hiring

On the subject of diversity, Goodell reiterated the NFL’s commitment to promoting diverse hiring practices, saying, “We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League.” He highlighted the positive impact these efforts have had on attracting talent to the league.