The NFL has a big problem.

Well, the league has many problems right now — too many to list in one column.

But perhaps the biggest one and the largest hot-button issue at the moment is the violence of the game — and how that violence is regulated.

After years and years of trying to gloss over the fact that players’ brains are being purèed inside their skulls like a ripe banana, the NFL has finally reluctantly acknowledged that, yes, big and strong and fast dudes running full speed into each other for three hours can cause head injuries.

CTE is a real thing. It’s also the thing that could bring the NFL down.

Anyone who watched the Steelers-Bengals game Monday night could see how close to the precipice the sport is getting.

Ryan Shazier’s injury began the night. While that was more of a fluke thing, it was still a result of an incredibly athletic and fast man running into another incredible athletic and fast man.

The JuJu Smith-Schuster block on that model citizen and beacon of civility Vontaze Burfect was vicious — and legal just a few years ago.

See Ward, Hines. See Rivers, Keith. See jaw, broken.

The fact Smith-Schuster taunted Burfect after the block made it seem a bit more sinister than it was.

The hit on Antonio Brown by heat-seeking-helmet-missile George Iloka was even more brutal.

Those plays happen, though, in just about every NFL game. These just happened to occur on a nationally televised Monday night game between two teams with a history of violence, thus magnifying them.

Maybe not this season and maybe not next, but one day football is going to reach a point of no return.

It almost happened to pro football in the early 1900s. President Theodore Roosevelt threatened to ban football unless changes were made after 19 players died in 1905.

Rules were changed. The league adapted.

While things are not as drastic as they were back then, it may be time for massive change again.

Here’s a radical thought. Remove the helmets. Make the pads smaller.

Players throw themselves at each other at an alarming rate. Everyone wants to flick the hit stick. No one really tackles anymore. They simply try to knock each other into the second row of the stands.

With no helmets, players would be less likely to lead with their noggins. With smaller and fewer pads, players will be less likely to throw themselves recklessly into one another.

The art of tackling will return. The game could be even more wide open and entertaining.

It’s a kooky idea on the surface, but really think about it.

Of course, the likelihood of that ever happening is about the same as the Cleveland Browns winning the Super Bowl.

But crazier things have happened. If it comes down to having football or not having football, unconventional may be the only recourse.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle