NFL and NFLPA to have key meeting Monday on potential return to play

With COVID-19 still sweeping across in America, the NFL is still working to figure how or even if a season will be played this fall. The league is still hopeful that there will be a season that starts on time, and Monday could go a long way in deciding that.

According to ESPN, the NFL and NFLPA are meeting Monday to continue working on an agreement on how the 2020 season will be conducted. Two of the key points still being hammered out are frequency of COVID-19 testing, and if there will be preseason games.

Here are some of the other talking points that both sides are still working on:

Acclimation period: Players want a slow ramp-up, from working out to taking the practice field, to avoid injuries and to get comfortable in the new working environment.

Opt-out clauses for players: What happens to a player’s contract if he decides to sit due to COVID-19 concerns, and does he get an accrued season?

Whether trimming the 90-man training camp rosters to avoid unnecessary contact is the right thing.

Equipment modifications: Players are lukewarm about wearing masks over their helmet bars, while the NFL has been working with Oakley on a yet-to-be-revealed design.

Economics: How to share lost revenue, with players knowing they have to take a loss somewhere to offset the lack of fans in the stands, but with the league’s offer to place 35% of salaries in escrow considered a non-starter.

The issue that appears most difficult for the two sides to agree on is how the owners and players will absorb the financial hit the NFL is taking for having little-to-no fans in 2020. The league wanted to escrow a portion of player salaries, but it looks like the players are set on preventing that.

Here’s to hoping both sides reach a resolution soon and get training camp rolling later this month.