It is getting more and more likely that we will soon be seeing a 17-game regular season amid ongoing labor talks.
Mark Maske of the Washington Post reported Wednesday that talks between owners and the NFLPA are progressing to the point that there is increasing optimism that a new labor deal could be finalized in 2020.
“I think there’s some real intensity and opportunity over the next few weeks,” one person familiar with the state of the negotiations said, adding that the participants are “working hard” to complete a deal.
Owners have shown a willingness to make concessions to get the players to put aside their concerns about a 17-game season, according to people on both sides of the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations.”
That 10-year collective bargaining agreement between the league and union runs through the 2020 season, so the NFL and NFLPA have been working feverishly throughout this year to avoid another work stoppage much like the lockout of the players by owners in 2011.
More regular season games likely means two less preseason games, which fans won’t mind but would really suck for players on the bubble and trying to make a team.
