NFL, NFLPA could be heading for lengthy stalemate in CBA negotiations

NFL owners met on Thursday and approved the terms of a proposed new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association, but it sounds like there is still a long way to go before a new CBA is in place.

The NFLPA’s board of representatives was supposed to meet on Friday to discuss the proposal from the league, but the union announced the vote has been postponed. The NFLPA said in a statement that the goal is to meet with owners in Indianapolis next week, but the NFL is essentially saying “take it or leave it” at this point.

This could be the beginning of a long stalemate. Owners seemed to be in a rush to push this through. They wanted it done by March 18. Feeling among some on player side was it felt like a “take it or leave it” offer. We’ll see if owners are open to more negotiations. https://t.co/yOXbzL0CQr

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) February 21, 2020

While the owners are claiming they are not open to making any more amendments to the proposed CBA, that is all a normal part of the negotiating process. There are significant changes being proposed in the new CBA involving the length of the regular season and the structure of the playoffs. A tweet sent by star receiver Jarvis Landry on Friday made it seem like the NFLPA is not at all pleased with the proposal the league approved this week.

The worst-case scenario is a strike after the 2020 season, but there is still a very long way to go before that happens. However, not having a new CBA in place prior to the start of the new league year on March 18 would have salary cap implications for teams, and there’s a chance that could impact whether or not the New England Patriots bring back Tom Brady. Other teams will be faced with similar issues if the negotiations drag out more than another month.