Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that two sources close to the situation have indicated the NFL and NFLPA have agreed upon at least something, even if it’s not the big thing. From the article:
The owners backed off the idea of requiring first-round picks to sign five-year deals, instead limiting the contracts to four years before a player could become a free agent. The agreement is also expected to include a stipulation limiting the amount of guaranteed money and signing bonus offered to draft picks.
In addition, the league agreed that all players drafted after the first round would be limited to three-year deals, but teams would be allowed to put restricted free agent tags after the three years. That’s essentially similar to the current process where players can be tagged as restricted free agents after a three-year deal, although the existing rule allows players drafted after the first round to sign four-year pacts.
The key change is for the players in the first round. Currently, the first 16 players taken in the first round can sign for up to six years. The next 16 players taken can sign up to five years.
The union wanted shorter deals so players could get to free agency faster, and now that desire has become a reality. The key here is that this deal fits for both players who turn out to be huge busts (JaMarcus Russell) and also for guys like Chris Johnson, who clearly out-played their rookie contract earlier than expected.
While the owners and players still differ on the biggest issue at hand, this is another positive step in the right direction, and one more obstacle completed towards getting a new CBA.