NFL analyst claims Roger Goodell ‘realized’ he can send bad games to Germany on purpose and get away with it

One of Roger Goodell's seemingly biggest tasks has been to take the National Football League global. Every year, the league takes a handful of games overseas. With the 2024-25 season still not yet concluded, the league announced its first international team to go to Europe in the 2025-26 season, as the Indianapolis Colts will play in Berlin.

Speaking on a January 15 edition of "Pro Football Talk," NFL analyst Mike Florio accused Goodell of taking advantage of fans desperate to see any league game.

Mike Florio: [00:01:18] "I think the NFL's realized we don't have to send really good games from our selection of 272 to Germany because they'll show up and show out and be excited about Giants and Panthers in the year that both teams were down." [00:01:31][12.6] PFT

Of course, the November 10 outing between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants ended up being a quality source of entertainment in a vacuum. Both teams were a combined 5-15 going into the contest, so the stakes were arguably almost non-existent.

Still, fans packed the stadium, breaking into a fan-sang rendition of "Take Me Home Country Roads" by John Denver, as is tradition at this point in international contests. Those who watched the game were treated to a 20-17 thriller in which the Panthers won in overtime.

Revisiting Roger Goodell's 2024 international matchups

Roger Goodell at-Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams - Source: Imagn

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's full 2025 international series remains unknown. However, the league's 2024 slate has been fully wrapped for quite some time. Here's a look at the games that took place in the 2024-25 season.

The Green Bay Packers faced the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in Week 1. Of course, with the two teams playing in the playoffs this season, it ended up being a playoff preview.

The Vikings played against the New York Jets in what ended up being a revenge game for Sam Darnold. The game took place in London, UK, in Week 5, offering a look at Rodgers before the wheels fell off.

In Week 6, fans in London were treated to a look at Caleb Williams against Trevor Lawrence. Both teams missed the playoffs, but fans got to see a slice of the year-long Williams storyline.

In Week 7, fans in London got a look at Patriots rookie Drake Maye in person against the Jaguars, but by that point, both teams were well out of the playoff picture.

Lastly, in Week 10, the New York Giants faced the Panthers in Munich, Germany, in a game that bore little significance to the playoff picture. Still, it was a thriller.

Overall, Roger Goodell's schedule ended up being front-loaded, with the most important games taking place early followed by spectacle games and one that didn't have playoff implications.

If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.