Total Pro Sports
The NFL is making the draft move faster. Starting in 2026, teams will get only eight minutes to make their first-round picks instead of ten.
The league says the shorter time will help keep the first night of the draft moving a bit faster and also smoother, which will ultimately prevent the event from dragging on too long.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the change on Wednesday on X and said, “The NFL notified teams today that it will shorten the time between picks in the first round of the draft from 10 to 8 minutes starting with the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh.”
And also added, “This will shorten the length of the first round, which had been finishing around 11:45p ET. Teams were on board. Roger Goodell had first mentioned this possibility on the Friday of the Green Bay draft on Pat McAfee’s show.”
The 2026 draft will take place in Pittsburgh and will mark the first year of the new format. The change adds to the league’s long trend of adjusting the draft to keep fans engaged. The NFL continues to treat the event as one of its top moments, alongside the Super Bowl.
Fans welcomed the decision soon after the news surfaced.
Two-minute warning: The NFL notified teams today that it will shorten the time between picks in the first round of the draft from 10 to 8 minutes starting with the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh.
This will shorten the length of the first round, which had been finishing around 11:45p… pic.twitter.com/yMsym354PY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2025
“This is a fantastic idea,” one posted.
This is a fantastic idea.
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) December 10, 2025
“Thank God, Round 1 is egregious for absolutely no reason,” another fan wrote.
Thank God. Round 1 is egregious for absolutely no reason. https://t.co/MLCEffsLd5
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) December 10, 2025
One fan asked, “Good change. Now stop leaking picks and wait until it’s announced.”
Good change. Now stop leaking picks and wait until it’s announced https://t.co/MA0o1W6QlO
— NYJ Matt (@NYJ_Matt) December 10, 2025
Several fans asked the NFL to trim even more. One person said, “Ok cool now remove all the unnecessary pomp and circumstance as well. There will be times where the pick is in but we have to wait 10 minutes for Roger Goodell to announce something.”
Ok cool now remove all the unnecessary pomp and circumstance as well.
There will be times where the "pick is in" but we have to wait 10 minutes for Roger Goodell to announce something. https://t.co/awnruERtnE
— MDDB (@_mockdrafts) December 10, 2025
The NFL thinks the shorter time limit will make the broadcast feel smoother and more exciting. Cutting two minutes should reduce long pauses and keep the crowd energized, but teams will still have enough time to make their decisions.
Next year’s draft...
