LONDON >> The NFL’s aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday.

Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he told a fan forum in London that it’s a possibility.

“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game internationally. “But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”

Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games.

He added that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars are considering increasing the number of games they play in London during their stadium renovations at home.

This season’s Super Bowl — the 59th edition — will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will host, followed by SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, in 2027. Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco in the last Super Bowl was the most-watched program in U.S. television history.

Team owners already have authorized up to eight international games, but Goodell said they could double that number — creating a scenario where all 32 teams could play an international game each year.

The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of preseason games to two.

“If we do expand our season — our regular season — to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said. He added that the plan could include a second bye week in the schedule.

“A lot of that depends on — can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.

Under that scenario, he said, the season would start around Labor Day and conclude around Presidents Day — the third Monday of February.

Moving to an 18th game is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to an agreement before the current labor deal expires after the 2030 season. There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.”

Dublin has been seen as the next likely host — after Madrid gets its first game in 2025.

Jets’ Rodgers to play

Aaron Rodgers is off the New York Jets’ injury report and will be back under center Monday night against the Buffalo Bills.

The quarterback was a full participant Saturday after being limited Thursday and Friday while dealing with a sprained ankle. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said earlier in the week Rodgers also had an issue with a hamstring.

But the 40-year-old Rodgers is fine to play after having his worst game with the Jets when he threw three interceptions in a loss to Minnesota in London last Sunday. The four-time NFL MVP’s leg was twisted awkwardly on one play, but he was able to stay in the game.

“He’s looked really good,” Ulbrich said. “He’s a magician as far as the work he puts into his body and all the (regeneration) and all the everything. He looks like Aaron, which is a fantastic thing, as we all know.”

Ulbrich replaced the fired Robert Saleh on Tuesday and demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the play caller. Todd Downing, the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will run the struggling offense against the Bills.

The defense will be without nickel cornerback Michael Carter II, who injured his back in pregame warmups last week and left the game early. Carter didn’t practice all week and was ruled out Saturday.

Engram return near

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram is likely to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears in what would be a boost for a team that arrived late to England because of Hurricane Milton.

The two-time Pro Bowl tight end — a favorite target of quarterback Trevor Lawrence — hasn’t played since the season opener because of a hamstring injury.

Jags coach Doug Pederson said Saturday at the team’s hotel outside London that Engram has been trending in the right direction and looked good at practice this week. He said he “would lean toward him playing in this game.”

The Jags arrived at 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Friday — about five hours later than usual for their annual trip to London — and didn’t get to their hotel until 1:30 p.m. That meant no time for their usual full practice.

“With it being dark sooner, just wanted to get some meeting time and then just get the guys off their feet a little bit,” Pederson said. The coach acknowledged some concern over a slow start against a Bears team that arrived on Tuesday.

“Obviously there’s that concern, I guess, slow start, sluggish, things of that nature, but … guys have been here before, they know what it’s like,” Pederson said. “They’re prepared and ready to go.”

Briefly

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver will miss a second week with a hamstring injury after coach Sean McDermott on Saturday ruled out the starter from playing at the New York Jets on Monday night.