There is a "deal to be done now, if the economics can be worked out," for a potential new NFL CBA, according to a source cited by Mike Florio of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. The "biggest complicating factor regarding economics comes from the NFL's desire to expand the regular season from 16 to 17 games." A source said a 17-game season is "likely, not definitively," part of the new deal. Florio noted the thinking "remains that the NFL would very much like the economics to get worked out, and to get a deal done," before Super Bowl LIV next month (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 1/11).
THROWING HIS HAT IN THE RING: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Florio cited sources as saying that Chargers LT Russell Okung "intends to run for NFLPA president" when the next election happens in March. Current NFLPA President Eric Winston's term "expires then, and by rule he can't run for re-election due to the fact that he hasn't played during either of the last two seasons." Okung is "believed to be firmly opposed to a 17-game season and firmly in favor of absorbing (via a lockout) or forcing (via a strike) a work stoppage in order to get the best possible deal for players." Making his candidacy "even more interesting is the fact that the NFLPA recently has conducted an investigation that resulted in a finding that Okung gathered and disseminated confidential information in violation of the union's constitutions and by-laws." However, Okung "vehemently denies the allegation" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 1/11).
