There has been plenty of talk over the past several months regarding the things that folks are willing to do in order to restore labor peace. At times, the words have seemed more hollow than a chocolate Christmas tree ornament. As the process arrives at the ending point, here’s hoping that folks mean what they say, when they say they want to get a deal done.
And that’s supposedly what Commissioner Roger Goodell is saying, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Goodell, sources told Mortensen, will do “whatever is necessary” to finish the process, including going to Washington to personally meet with the NFLPA* Executive Committee to explain the proposed deal.
Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that the members of the decertified union’s governing body will meet in Washington beginning today, and continuing into Tuesday. Per Breer, the team-by-team player representatives will arrive Wednesday. Breer explains that the goal will be to explain the proposed deal to the player reps, so that they can then pass the information along to their teammates.
Still, the time line remains a bit confusing and unclear. Mortensen has reported that a 72-hour window for signing current free agents will open on Friday, only a day after the owners approve the transaction. So when between now and Friday will the players reconstitute the union and formally settle the Brady antitrust lawsuit? NFL general counsel Jeff Pash previously insisted that the doors won’t open until all i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed; there’s a lot of i-dotting and t-crossing to be done before Friday.
So there’s something that seems a little strange about all of this. But we’re willing to remain hopeful.
After all, Roger Goodell is willing to do “whatever is necessary” to put this all to bed, once and for all.