Eli Drinkwitz laments schedule change, coaching security: 'Only way to generate more money is scheduling preseason game with NFL'

SEC schedules officially got an upgrade beginning in 2026. On Tuesday, teams got a look at the next four years, seeing who they would be playing in the new-look nine-game slate. Anyone inside the conference will tell you there are, now, no easy schedules, having a tough road every single year.

As usual, Missouri‘s Eli Drinkwitz had some fun with the topic. While the SEC implemented the nine-game schedule for the College Football Playoff, monetary purposes exist as well. He jokingly suggested a new idea for Commissioner Greg Sankey, before saying coaches need some serious security before going through these gauntlets.

“We all need lifetime contracts,” Drinkwitz said via The Paul Finebaum Show when discussing the new SEC schedule. “I mean, let’s be real. If we’re all going to coach in this marathon, I think the only other way we could generate more money is if we just schedule a preseason game with an NFL team. That would generate great ratings too and be even tougher on our programs. I mean, I’m right here with the Chiefs. Maybe we can get an August preseason game with them.”

This led to Finebaum asking his plan to cover Travis Kelce during the preseason game. The Mizzou head coach admitted they would not be able to stop him or Patrick Mahomes, before getting back into the SEC’s difficulty.

“I’ll say this — I don’t know if Mahomes moves as good as (LaNorris) Sellers does these days. I mean, that sucker is a real test and this league — you’ve got (Taylen) Green at Arkansas, (John) Mateer at OU. This thing ain’t no joke anymore.”

Getting back to his contract, Drinkwitz later said he is quite happy with his current setup. This season brought an extension through the 2029 season, paying Drinkwitz $9 million last season. Thanks to the new deal, the number will continue to grow. If Drinkwitz can continue the success in Columbia, the years and salary might continue to get bigger.

Missouri is set to play its final nonconference game of the year vs. UMass on Saturday. From there, the grind of an eight-game SEC schedule begins. From 2026 on, the task only gets more difficult by adding another league game.

And who knows, maybe somebody will take the NFL preseason game idea more seriously. Drinkwitz is not joking when it comes to the potential revenue generation from an SEC vs. NFL matchup.