It's funny.
From Pop Warner, High School and College football, nobody plays a pre-season game. It's game #1 and it counts.
Pro Football just needs to do the same thing. Teams can scrimmage during mini camps and hire ref's to officiate. If they want to go to an 18 game season, then do it.
Just get the roster from 53 to 63.......That allows teams to keep fringe players and develop them in case a player walks in FA. Also, injuries can be accounted for much easier with depth.
To me, it's really a no brainer........