NFL UK Director Reveals Packers Visit to London Remains Major Goal for League
This past Sunday, the Texans battled the Jaguars in the NFL's final matchup across the Atlantic Ocean for 2019. This iteration of the special event took place at Wembley Stadium to promote the NFL brand internationally, and with four annual contests now on the docket, the league isn't anywhere close to slowing this train down.
A large chunk of the league's franchises have played in London already, including the Panthers, Rams, and Raiders just this season (it's certainly no sign of disrespect or relegation).
But one squad that has yet to make an appearance in the U.K. is the Green Bay Packers, and the league hopes to change that very soon.
"There is a desire to say that we've had all 32 teams. The Packers themselves have said they would love to come over, it's just up to us to make it happen."
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) November 6, 2019
-- NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood.
Story from ESPN UK: https://t.co/HwbrRvhQkl
Alistair Kirkwood, the NFL UK managing director, told ESPN that having the Packers visit is "key," leading the way in bringing over the other remaining teams that haven't gone. Considering the Jaguars have played there seven times already, making hay as the definitive home team, it's definitely overdue for Aaron Rodgers to make his London debut.
In fact, it probably should've happened last week.
Watching this early morning London Jags-Texans matchup and I’m still dumbfounded why the Packers aren’t playing the Chargers there this morning. Instead they are playing in a soccer stadium that will be filled by Packer fans today. Missed opportunity by the NFL
— Mark Tauscher (@MarkTauscher65) November 3, 2019
The NFL has overall done a good job with this project, but they need to make sure the most exciting players and teams are a priority when choosing who to play overseas.
No team brings a more ingrained legacy than the Pack, and their arrival is past due.