NFL players have voted, and a new collective bargaining agreement will keep NFL labor peace through at least 2030. What are NFL players, former players and those associated with the league saying about the passing of the vote?
The vote to approve by the NFL players passed by a close margin: 1,019-959. Approval required a majority of the players voting.
As news of the vote spread Sunday morning, many took to social media to describe their thoughts and emotions, ranging from anger to acceptance to confusion over the voter turnout.
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns wide receiver
500+ voices.. 500+ opinions... hella disappointing. Couldn't even vote on your own future. Can't even comprehend it...
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) March 15, 2020
Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers cornerback
We are all trying to make it better. We didn't succeed
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 15, 2020
Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles safety
The democratic process has played itself out. We must be committed to unifying our current and former members. While I don't agree with the decision because of its negative impacts on some current and former players, I do respect our process and will push forward accordingly. pic.twitter.com/O0Pe1dg0L2
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) March 15, 2020
Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts tight end
Can't believe we agreed to that lol. We can only play this game for so long and y'all didn't want everything we could get out of it? Smfh. 2030 y'all do better
— Eric Ebron (@Ebron85) March 15, 2020
JC Tretter, Cleveland Browns center and new NFLPA players' president
— JC Tretter (@JCTretter) March 15, 2020
Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts linebacker
Man I'm so hot bruh‼️🤬
— Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) March 15, 2020
Ryan Clark, ESPN analyst and former NFL safety
I've been a part of the the tough CBA negotiations, conference calls, I've led the votes. So many different players in different phases of life. Hard to get everyone on 1 page. I'm sure y'all did what you could. Y'all boys go play now. What's done is done! Blessings young 👑
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) March 15, 2020
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears wide receiver
So weak fam, dudes wanna vote outta fear. It really show where dudes head at
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) March 15, 2020
Trash, freaking trash
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) March 15, 2020
Sam Acho, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker
BREAKING NEWS: The #cba vote is officially out. Here what the players voted and here's why it matters: pic.twitter.com/W0YkS2lOqk
— Sam Acho (@TheSamAcho) March 15, 2020
Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints defensive end
Couldn't have worded this one better 🤞🏾 https://t.co/UdrNlx0V0j
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 15, 2020
I wonder if this week stock dives swayed possible No's to yes? Wonder if those that said no publicly voted yes silently... wonder if some of the no's/yes' we educated no's/yes'.... I hope this leads to a better NFL. pic.twitter.com/uqs2QsPKt6
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 15, 2020
Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback
Well done De
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 15, 2020
Damien Woody, ESPN analyst and former NFL guard
That was a razor thin margin for the new #CBA. I'm sure we'll hear from players on both sides
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 15, 2020
Shawne Merriman, former NFL linebacker
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) March 15, 2020
Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens cornerback
Around 500 players didn't even vote on the new CBA smh
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) March 15, 2020
It's good and bad to this deal I could see why anyone would vote either way. I just think it's amazing guys don't even care.
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) March 15, 2020
Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos place-kicker
32 Player Rep Vote
— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) March 15, 2020
17-14-1
1,978 Total Player Vote
1,019-959
Almost Identical
Will Compton, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker
New CBA passed. Wild how close it was
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) March 15, 2020
I was ready to storm the beaches of Normandy if this thing went NO https://t.co/YYf9B1bhtx
Bo Scaife, former NFL tight end
For current players a "20% increase in pay year after year, that's a really good deal". Respectfully, PLEASE BE AWARE that this same #CBA will give Disabled Former NFL Players 20+% DECREASE in their yearly pay, the ones who paved the way for great players to play. @NFL @NFLPA
— Bo Scaife (@BoScaife80) March 15, 2020
Dan Orlovsky, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback
I'm a QB I understand I never take the same beating teammates do
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 15, 2020
-yes there is an added 17th game-of about 70 snaps.
-there's 12 less padded prax in camp. A prax avgs 50+ snaps. That's 500+ LESS padded/contact snaps for players in exchange for that 17th game
A massive health win
Ryan Harris, former NFL offensive tackle
🏈
— Ryan Harris (@salaams_from_68) March 15, 2020
The new CBA has a tougher definition of 'disabled' than social security does.
This will have deep impacts for former players and their families.
The owners won. Got everything they wanted WHEN they wanted it. 🎯
🎉Fans won also, 17 gmand extra playoff games. Congrats
Wow.
Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals running back
This CBA was shortsighted and constructed to benefit the players who made the majority of the league. Yes minimum salary was raised but at the cost of the players who paved the way physically/psychologically just to be short changed w/o a voice to defend their benefits. Sad
— Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx32) March 15, 2020
Ben Watson, New England Patriots tight end
Contentious to the final hour. Men were engaged. Of that I am proud
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 15, 2020
Eric Reid, Carolina Panthers safety
I'm gutted for the families who's livelihoods depend on their disability benefits. I'm blown away that many current players don't realize how bad the economics of this deal are and voted it through.
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) March 15, 2020
Donté Stallworth, former NFL wide receiver
10 years from now when almost all of those players will be out of the league they will wish they had voted https://t.co/k6t2xfMMSI
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) March 15, 2020
Michael Campanaro, former NFL wide receiver
Wonder how many single season records are gonna get broken now that guys have a extra game to play 🤔🤔🤔
— Michael Campanaro (@MikeCamp_12) March 15, 2020
Torrey Smith, former NFL wide receiver
That split explains why the NFL will always be the at the bottom of player power in the sports world. Dudes only care about themselves and the moment. People aren't afraid to lose anything. They only worry about their check. https://t.co/U0foIj3jkN
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 15, 2020
Kyle Long, former Bears guard
I think I'm officially retired lmao #CBA
— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) March 15, 2020
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints receiver
🤬 it time to start load management 🙂
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) March 15, 2020
Antonio Cromartie, former NFL cornerback
So all y'all was worried about was drug testing. Lol y'all funny. So you not going to get any of the gambling revenue nothing at all. This looks just like the last CBA.
— ANTONIO CROMARTIE (@CRO31) March 15, 2020
Emmanuel Acho, ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker
Is the #CBA perfect? Absolutely NOT!
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) March 15, 2020
Did the players choose right? Absolutely! pic.twitter.com/WZM13vBtnL
Darrelle Revis, former NFL cornerback
The PLAYERS who voted "yes" did not consider the affect it would have on former players dealing with T&P disability with the understanding they shall to succumb to these issues. #ARTICLE60 #HealthBenefits
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) March 15, 2020
Related coverage:
• What players get in new deal, how expanded playoffs and schedule will work
• Expanded NFL playoffs are here: Ranking best just-missed teams of past 30 years
• Sources: NFL's new league year expected to start on time
Here's what last year's NFL playoff picture would have looked like under the new CBA. pic.twitter.com/glgTube9P5
— ESPN (@espn) March 15, 2020
Clubs informed for 2020 season: Overall player costs per club: $242.9 million. Salary cap is $198.2m. Rest is benefits and performance based pay pool.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2020
NFL salary cap by year:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2020
2014: $133.0M
2015: $143.3M
2016: $155.3M
2017: $167.0M
2018: 177.3M
2019: $188.2M
And now for 2020: $198.2M