1.) New CBA Negotiations Ongoing
This week talks between NFL owners, and the NFLPA have been attracting a lot of attention over discussions over a new CBA. The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a labor agreement which reflects the results of collective bargaining negotiations between the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and NFL team owners. The labor agreement classifies distribution of league revenues, sets health and safety standards and establishes benefits, including pensions and medical benefits, for all players in the NFL. The current CBA was agreed upon back in 2011, that CBA is set to end this year thus the renewed negotiations.
The main changes in this CBA consist of proposals such as expanding to a 17-game regular season, an increase in players' share of total revenue to at least 48 percent and the expansion of the playoff field to 14 teams beginning in 2020. The NFLPA is also trying to get the NFL owners to agree to more benefits for players, specifically medical care. Currently most NFL players are only given 5 years of medical healthcare coverage by the league.
These changes would obviously change the league and the game in general in major ways. These changes would affect players, the league, as well as fans. For the league and its 32 teams, this would mean a large increase in profits due to the expanded 17-game seasons, as well as the addition of two teams to the NFL playoffs. For players this would mean higher salaries, however the concern is that this could come at greater cost of physical health. For fans of course it simply means more football, and more relevant important games at that. It has also been discussed that the NFL shortens the preseason from 4 weeks to 3 weeks. The CBA also includes more rules for off-season, and seasonal practice and training camp rules and procedures to limit contact outside of games.
2.) QB carousel looking wild from free agency to the Draft
This season is shaping up to be one of the most active QB offseasons in NFL history. There are a plethora of quarterbacks who are set to hit free agency this offseason. The list of these top QBs: Tom Brady (Patriots), Drew Brees (Saints), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Philip Rivers (Chargers), Teddy Bridgewater (Saints), Marcus Mariota (Titans), and Case Keenum (Redskins).
From that list, Drew Brees and the Saints have already announced that he will be returning. That basically guarantees that Teddy Bridgewater will be hitting the market, and he is anticipated to have quite a demand with his high performance for the Saints this year when Brees was injured.
Dak Prescott of the Cowboys has of course attracted a lot of media attention. Rumors suggest that Dak and the team have been in discussion of his resigning with the team the main issue is the price. It has also been discussed that the Cowboys could choose to Franchise Tag him.
Due to the large free agency market of possibly available QBs it’s led to rumors about many other teams and QBs, through means of trading as well as the draft which boasts a handful of star prospects.
The main free agent being discussed of course is New England Patriots Quarterback, Tom Brady. Tom, age 42, is who entered the league way back via the 2000 NFL Draft, is currently set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. There have been so many rumors surrounding Tom and the Patriots that it’s near impossible to definitively predict what his future will be. Recently this week, word has spread that the Patriots are hoping to hear from Brady a more decisive decision on what he wants. However Tom is believed to be wanting to receive more of a pay raise than what the Patriots may be willing to pay.
3.) 16 new drills to added NFL scouting combine
The NFL announced this week that it will be adding 16 new drills to the NFL scouting combine, which is set to take place February 24 - March 2. There will be an article on Touchdown Talks that week covering all the top stories and highlights from that event.
Many NFL scouts and analysts are saying that the 2020 NFL Draft boasts one of, if not the best WR class in NFL history. Many scouts and analysts are saying that there are enough WRs who grade as “Draft worthy” that if they were all drafted they could take up more than half of the draft!