NFL uncapped -- Good or bad in your eyes?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

If the current CBA expires, do the triggers contained in it and referenced above (i.e. 2nd franchise tag, longer time before becoming an UFA, etc) run until a new agreement is signed? Or do they expire after a set number of years?

That's a trick question. The uncapped season is contained inside the CBA as a disincentive to reach the end of the CBA, which is currently to end after the 2010 season.

There is no football without a CBA, essentially. Or at least, not as we currently enjoy it. Any deals that run past 2010 do so under the assumption of labor peace, that includes all player contracts, TV deals, league endorsements. There's no such thing as a second uncapped year. Just uncertainty.

The most obvious and likely outcome of no agreement after the 2010 season would be a lockout. But if the union chooses to de-certify, we could see a situation where all the owners can negotiate directly with players in an incredibly unregulated market.

There would be a 2011 NFL Draft, per the prior agreement. But that is currently the final scheduled NFL Draft, which of course is certain to be extended in any sort of CBA extension. People love the draft, and even if the owners lock out the players, it would never reach the point where there is no 2012 draft.