When it was announced that the NFL and NFLPA would be meeting Monday, there was hope. Not necessarily hope of a deal being struck between the players and owners as they attempt to return to facilities at the end of the month, but of a report of progress.
Well, that didn't happen.
All the reports coming out of the meeting Tuesday were how the meeting went as expected, but produced no real news. One player rep, Richard Sherman of the 49ers, took to Twitter to give his take.
Good meeting today with management. We were blunt and honest with them we will not compromise our players health in these discussions.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 14, 2020
It is easy to read too much into Sherman's comments. One could read them and suggest player safety, testing and protocols are at the forefront of the players' issues in the negotiations, but there are plenty other topics which the players have been concerned with heading into camps at the end of the month.
Since the owners and players signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement, these negotiations could go the same way Major League Baseball and the MLBPA went. In other words, if the parties cannot come to terms on an agreement, the league could implement the rules and demand the players follow them. A grievance could be filed by the players, which could draw out the ruling. This is something the MLBPA avoided and players reported to camps under the owners' stipulations.
There is no doubt the NFL doesn't want to take this route, and will do whatever it takes to reach an agreement it deems fair with the players before the July 28 reporting date for training camp. They have two weeks before then, and the clock is ticking on a deal being reached.
It may seem crazy to football fans, but there still is time before a deal needs to be reached, and a looming deadline often is the biggest motivator in negotiations.
To continue reading, log into your account:
