The dreaded possibility of an NFL lockout is almost certainly less than a week away at the NFLPA and owners spent more than 40 hours in negotiations this week under the guidance of a mediator. The certainty of a lockout after the CBA expires next week increased amid reports of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell contacted teams regarding the rules of regulations they must abide by in the event of a lockout. Players' agents recently entered negotiations and an unspecified source reported that the two sides "...are not close on a single issue. Not a single one."
The only reason for optimism I can possibly find in this situation for a new CBA being designed before the draft or season will be the players' union conceding on some issues once the reality of being locked out sets in. For instance an issue has arisen with medical insurance benefits that will not be extended after the lockout. A specific example of the ensuing ramifications can seen in an anonymous Steelers' player whose wife is due to give birth on March 8, the player's family is now considering inducing labor early if their insurance is suspended.
They're are other major issues including the nearly 500 players who are scheduled to be free agents this offseason who have very uncertain futures and the limitations imposed on players who are rehabbing injuries this offseason who likely won't have full access to their team's training facilities.
Nobody has any idea when the labor negotiations will be resolved or even progressed because it will likely come down to one side shelving their stubborn pride as realize what they're costing themselves and the fans.
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