In a move that has been expected for months, the NFL is expected to announce this week a change to its regular season schedule, from 16 to 17 games.

The league had played a 16-game regular season schedule since 1978, by far the longest stretch without a change in NFL history, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. This move is not a surprise, as it was also reported by the NFL Network in December.

The move would cut the preseason to either 2 or 3 games. There still would be one bye week per club, extending the total regular season to 18 weeks and pushing back the Super Bowl into the second week of February. Each team would play an extra interconference matchup — AFC vs. NFC — based on divisional standings from the preceding season and on a rotating divisional basis.

The move comes shortly after the NFL announced a new media deal worth $113 billion that runs through 2033. The schedule release, which normally takes place in April or May, is expected to cement the 17-game season.

That TV deal needs more inventory of games, and for the league to promote possible new neutral-site and international games. The NFL already has played games regularly in the U.K. and Mexico, and has been eyeing possible games in Canada, China, Japan, Germany and Brazil, the NFL Network reported.