The Shift Toward Controlled Competition

As the NFL landscape evolves with fewer preseason games and the potential for an 18th regular-season contest, coaches are increasingly prioritizing joint practices. These sessions allow teams to script specific, game-like scenarios that cannot be replicated in traditional exhibition games, where the clock and score often dictate play.

Coaches Weigh In on the Benefits

Titans coach Robert Saleh is a vocal advocate for the format, noting that while he avoids back-to-back sessions to prevent fatigue and unnecessary conflict, he values the amplified intensity. “It’s a really good way to have a game-like experience that’s controlled,” Saleh said. He emphasizes that these sessions are safer for players while still providing the competitive edge necessary for preparation.

Colts coach Shane Steichen echoes this sentiment, highlighting the ability to work on specific packages like red-zone offense, third-down situations, and two-minute drills. “It gives our guys an opportunity to see some new faces during training camp,” Steichen explained. “It brings out the competitive nature of those guys in a controlled environment.”

The Philosophy of Preservation

For many coaches, including the Jaguars' Liam Coen, the goal is to avoid putting players at risk in games that do not count toward the official standings. Coen expressed a preference for joint practices over preseason games, noting that many modern coaches, such as Sean McVay and Nick Sirianni, frequently rest star players during the preseason to ensure they are healthy for Week 1.

Strategic Control vs. Preseason Reality

While preseason games remain a fixture due to revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting, their value as a developmental tool is being questioned. Bengals coach Zac Taylor pointed out that joint practices offer a unique advantage: the ability to repeat drills if they do not go as planned. “You get a chance to control the environment,” Taylor said. “Whereas in a game, you’re at the mercy of how the game is going to flow.”

Trends in Participation

  • Increasing Prevalence: There were 24 joint practices in 2023 and 22 in 2024, showing a consistent reliance on the format.
  • The Outliers: The Kansas City Chiefs have not participated in a joint practice since Andy Reid took over in 2013.
  • Future Outlook: As the league considers further reductions to the preseason, the importance of these controlled, high-intensity practices is expected to grow.