Several prominent NFL players pushed back against the collective bargaining agreement proposal owners sent to the NFLPA last week.
From Aaron Rodgers to Richard Sherman, the theme was obvious. They are voting no, citing issues with the 17-game schedule and proposed new playoff format.
In talking about this opposition from Indianapolis on Thursday, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith seemed to back the players while not exactly siding with them.
”Democracy is messy. When you urge your players to become part of a union. When you decide instead of having a bubble that excludes people. That you want people to not only become involved in the union, but become reps in your union. To take leadership roles. How could you ever then take a position where you have some sort of adverse feeling if they express their feelings?”
Smith went on to specifically mention Rodgers’ opposition to the CBA, noting that he’s more than fine with it.
As of right now, no union-wide vote is imminent on the details of the collective bargaining agreement. It could take two weeks for that to come to fruition.
The two sides are facing a March 18 deadline for the new CBA to take hold in time for the 2020 NFL season.