One of the big questions surrounding free agency and the NFL in general in recent weeks has been what the rules for the league to operate under as a result of the proposed CBA that the owner had sent to the players for their vote weeks ago. That question appears to have been answered, as the players reportedly voted to approve the proposal.
So, in what was a very close vote, the players agreed to a contract that will ensure labor peace through the 2030 NFL season. What the vote in favor of the 2020 season means for fans and teams include the following:
- Only one franchise or transition tag per team, not both,
- Elimination of the 30% rule for contracts, allowing for teams to create cap space and use more aggressive contract structures,
- Salary cap for the 2020 season should be announced soon, and is likely to be just above $200M,
- Contractual incentives will use standard look back methodology for differentiating NLTBE and LTBE incentives and
- Significant minimum salary increases and RFA tender increases.