NFLPA executive director Demaurice Smith told players on his much-anticipated conference call Friday that the current plan for the union is to decertify, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Plans can change, of course. Smith knew the news would leak out and could be using it to hold ownership’s feet to the fire.
Gary Myers of the New York Daily News writes that NFLPA is “leaning” towards decertification, but there is still time to change.
Owners were reportedly hoping to continue talking after Smith’s call. The sides are clearly closer on Friday than they were Thursday, so halting any possible progress would be disappointing.
As long as the sides continue to talk Friday, there remains hope.