By a final tally of 1,019 to 959, NFL players officially voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with league owners, according to the NFL Players Association.
The new CBA will provide labor peace in the NFL through the 2030 season. The agreement adds a 17th regular-season game, expands the playoffs, eliminates a preseason game and increases players’ share of revenue, although many star players – including Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers – were strongly against the new deal.
Rodgers argued against adding a 17th game, believing the players weren’t getting enough from owners in return. Under the new CBA, a 17th game will be added during the 2021 season.
Next season, the playoff field will increase to seven teams per conference and eliminate two bye postseason bye weeks in each conference, expanding the wild card round to six total games.
The new CBA also expands rosters, increases minimum salaries, limits the drug policy and lessens the numbers of padded practices during training camp.
