Report: Optimism high for new NFL labor deal despite schedule disagreement

While one major issue remains a sticking point, it appears that talks between the NFL and the NFL Players Association regarding a new CBA are going well.

The two sides are working on a 10-year CBA, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com. Her NFL Media colleague, Ian Rapoport, added that optimism was high that a deal will get done.

Sounds like the NFL and NFLPA continue to make progress on this. The optimism is high. https://t.co/uN7gheFyrS — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2020

This bodes well for progress on some issues where the two sides were struggling to find common ground, like pensions for pre-1993 players. The big one is the implementation of a 17-game schedule, which the league considers a priority but many players appear to hate. It’s not clear how much progress has been made there, but major concessions will be required on the NFL’s part if the league wants to make that a reality.

Still, all the signs are positive that the NFL’s labor peace will be maintained, avoiding a repeat of 2011’s brief offseason lockout.