NFL players react to ratification of new CBA
The NFL has a new labor deal that will extend through 2030, as the league’s players have approved the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement by a vote of 1,019 to 959.
The deal includes several previously reported changes, such as the expansion of the playoffs by two teams in 2020 — one additional wild-card team in each conference, giving just the first overall seed a first-round bye — and increasing the length of the regular season to 17 games, although no sooner than 2021.
NFL players approve CBA through 2030: https://t.co/0UVNUPzpdV pic.twitter.com/y0VFD2vDxC
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2020
As evidenced by the tight vote, the CBA was received with a wide range of reactions by NFL players, many of whom took to Twitter to voice their opinions:
Our statement on the CBA vote: pic.twitter.com/3pXydLLQ9c
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 15, 2020
One Team pic.twitter.com/YGX4q0l66C
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 15, 2020
Couldn’t have worded this one better ?? https://t.co/UdrNlx0V0j
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 15, 2020
I’m a QB I understand I never take the same beating teammates do
-yes there is an added 17th game-of about 70 snaps.
-there’s 12 less padded prax in camp. A prax avgs 50+ snaps. That’s 500+ LESS padded/contact snaps for players in exchange for that 17th gameA massive health win
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 15, 2020
A massive pain for all OL out there. DL too. https://t.co/6zO247EHCV
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) March 15, 2020
Can’t believe we agreed to that lol. We can only play this game for so long and y’all didn’t want everything we could get out of it? Smfh. 2030 y’all do better
— Eric Ebron (@Ebron85) March 15, 2020
1,019 players voted yes and 959 players voted no on the new CBA?
That is DAMN close
There is gonna be some fireworks in those locker room conversations.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 15, 2020
In addition to the expansion of the playoffs and the addition of a 17th game, the new CBA increases the percentage the players receive from league revenue, from 47% to 48%, with additional potential increases linked to the league’s television deals and the expansion of the regular season to 17 games. Game-day and practice squad roster sizes will grow, and minimum salaries are increasing. The new CBA will also eliminate suspensions for positive marijuana tests.
4 massages a week during the season going to have to boost that up to 6. ??♂️
— The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) March 15, 2020
Bruh I don’t understand that’s so disappointing
— Mark Ingram II (@markingram21) March 15, 2020
It’s good and bad to this deal I could see why anyone would vote either way. I just think it’s amazing guys don’t even care.
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) March 15, 2020
— Kyle Williams (@KyleWilliams_10) March 15, 2020
There are still unanswered questions, largely around the implementation of the 17-game season. The players and owners reportedly have not discussed how exactly the NFL will balance the schedule, roll out the new calendar, or whether there will be an additional bye week, among many other considerations.
However, according to NFL.com, there are rules in the new CBA that spell out how practices will work under a 17-game season. Perhaps the biggest is that teams will not be allowed to add additional practices to the calendar when the league transitions to 17 games. Padded practices would be limited to a total of 14, 11 of which must be held during the first 11 weeks of the season. The number of padded practices in training camp would also be reduced, from 28 to 16.
