Six years ago, former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch was a member of the NFL players’ association executive committee when team owners locked the players out and caused a 132-day work stoppage. A new collective bargaining agreement was agreed upon in late July, but Steelers players declined to sign it because they thought it gave too much power to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Now there are four years remaining on the CBA, and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said last week the players have to be willing to strike to get what they want. Four years is a long time, but the NFLPA could be setting the stage for another work stoppage before the current deal expires in 2020.