The NFL is standing firm on its playoff structure for 2026.
There’s been calls for the NFL to change playoff seeding. Teams have been calling for the league to get rid of the divisional champs automatically hosting a playoff game. The NFC South champion, for example, could go 7-10 and host a No. 5 seed Wild Card team that went 12-5.
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The Detroit Lions were among those to push for change.
However, heading into 2026, the NFL has offered up a plan: the playoff structure won’t be changing until the league expands.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 14: A view of the NFL Wild Card logo on Ford Field prior to a game between the Los Angeles Rams and \det in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)Nic Antaya/Getty Images
(Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The NFL playoff structure will stay the same, for now.
“The seeding concept has yet to be mentioned as the 2026 offseason rules cycle unfolds. And it won’t be, for now,” Pro Football Talk shared.
“When the regular season inevitably expands from 17 to 18 games, it will be back on the table, we’re told. Depending on whether 345 Park Avenue can twist enough arms into a thumb’s up, it may be adopted.”
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The playoff structure could change eventually.
“If the division champion will be competing with second- (and third-) place teams from another division for one of the top four seeds, the schedule will need to have more conference games and fewer interconference contests. At some point, the annual home-and-home approach within each division may need to be revisited,” PFT added.
“These are details that will take a back seat to the broader goal of having the playoff tree better reflect total wins and losses. Which, while dormant, isn’t dead.”
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.