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INDIANAPOLIS — NFL player representatives passed an owner-approved proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement early Wednesday morning, sending the proposal to the full players union for a vote that could create labor peace for 10 years.

Because the 32-member NFLPA representative council voted to move the proposed CBA for ratification, only a simple majority of the union must approve to set the deal into motion. The vote in favor of sending the proposal to the players association was 17-14 with one abstention. The executive committee had voted down a similar proposal, 6-5, on Friday.

pic.twitter.com/OfW2iPkvBm

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 26, 2020

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who signed a four-year, $140 million extension in April 2019, said Wednesday morning he would vote no to the latest proposal.

“The @NBA & @MLB are doing it right. Players come first. ALL @NFL players deserve the same. WE should not rush the next 10 YEARS for Today’s satisfaction. I VOTE NO.”

The @NBA & @MLB are doing it right.
Players come first.

ALL @NFL players deserve the same.

WE should not rush the next 10 YEARS for Today’s satisfaction.

I VOTE NO.

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 26, 2020

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt also expressed objections to the altered proposal.

It is not yet known when the full vote of the players union will take place. Broncos player rep Brandon McManus estimated an email vote could take at least one week.

A four-hour meeting between the NFL and NFLPA took place Tuesday night here at the site of the NFL Scouting Combine. The union reps met for several more hours before the vote.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined comment out of “respect for the process.”



With a vote pending, the NFL and NFLPA are planning meetings with attorneys this week to decide how the offseason might be impacted. It’s possible free agency could be delayed.

Players now are set to vote for a CBA that calls for a 17-game regular season, starting in 2021, along with a reduction of the four-game preseason. All teams would have more roster spots, and players would receive a higher percentage of revenue in addition to upgraded pensions for former players.

–By Jeff Reynolds (@ReynoldsJD), Field Level Media