The veiled (and not-so-veiled) shots have already started to fly between the NFL players and owners over the proposed collective bargaining agreement. And while there’s a long time between now and any sort of hardcore deadline, the maneuvering that’s taken place this week regarding an expanded regular season, a change to the postseason picture, a fight over financials (and other proposals) could be interpreted as the opening stages of a protracted labor battle.
Related: What you need to know about the NFL’s proposal to expand the playoffs and add a game
You might remember the last time we were here: 2011, when owners and players approached zero hour, during the lockout.