NFLPA extends CBA voting deadline
Players get two extra days to consider new deal
Players will have two extra days to vote on the new collective bargaining agreement.
The NFL Players Association on Monday moved the deadline for voting on the proposed CBA from 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday to the same time on Saturday.
The deadline change was approved by a vote of the 32-member board of player representatives.
“Every vote matters, and we encourage all players to review the materials sent via email in order to make an informed decision,” the NFLPA said in a statement.
A “yes” from a simple majority of the players in the union would bring an unprecedented 11 years of labour peace to the NFL.
Among the central points in the new CBA sparking debate among players is the addition of a 17th regular-season game starting in 2021, which NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith implied was tied to the reduction of pre-season to three games per team from four.
While superstars who have hit US$100-million paydays such as Russell Wilson and J.J. Watt were critical of the proposed pact, several player reps indicated the deal serves the majority of the union in multiple ways, including the addition of downtime in the off-season, as well as raises for those making at or near minimum NFL salaries.
There is also additional money set aside for practice-squad players and the expansion of game-day rosters, which will be tied to higher wages for those added or activated on game day.
The playoffs would be expanded to 14 teams from 12 under the proposal, and players also would receive a greater percentage of revenue. During the lifetime of the agreement, the increase is projected to be a total of $5 billion in extra pay to players.
Cornerback Josh Norman agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million to join the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with Sean McDermott.
McDermott, head coach of the Bills, was defensive co-ordinator of the Carolina Panthers during Norman’s best seasons. Norman spent the past four seasons with the Washington Redskins and was released on Feb. 14.
The New York Jets informed cornerback Trumaine Johnson that he will be released, the New York Daily News reported Monday.
The Jets signed Johnson to a five-year, $72.5-million contract in March 2018. His $11-million base salary for 2020 would have become guaranteed on March 20.
The move could cost the Jets $12 million in dead cap money while freeing up only $3 million in salary cap space. If the new CBA is approved, however, the Jets could spread the $12-million cap hit across two seasons: $4 million in 2020 and $8 million in 2021.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was cleared to begin unbridled workouts for the first time since hip surgery. He was considered to be the top pick in the 2020 NFL draft prior to the November injury.
Tagovailoa ended his college career with 7,442 passing yards and 87 touchdowns. In 2019, he missed time with an ankle issue and before he hurt his hip, Tagovailoa had 2,840 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in nine games.