NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doesn’t want to get into a back and forth with reporters about his power.
But he’s willing to have a back-and-forth with the players union.
Asked Wednesday about reports that he’d be willing to cede authority over player discipline, Goodell suggested such talk about a potential deal with the NFLPA which would reduce his power was premature.
“We have had discussions about discipline process for decades,” he said. “We’re always open to that. If we can find a better discipline system let’s do it. . . .
“We’re not close to an agreement by any stretch.”
Goodell emphasized he’d love to discuss things “directly with the union,” emphasizing he wasn’t getting into such a discussion in a press conference. But any such give-back on his part is likely to require something from players, such as an extension to the current CBA, so it’s obviously going to be a huge discussion.