NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith expects lockout in 2021

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 05: Commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell and Director of the National Football League Players' Association, DeMaurice Smith pose with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement on the front steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 5, 2011 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Bud Lite) /

NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith expects a lockout in 2021 and explained why he thinks it’s unavoidable.

The current NFL CBA doesn’t expire until 2021, but the NFLPA isn’t happy with the current set of rules. DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA President, claims that a lockout is essentially a lock to happen. The NFL hasn’t gone through a lockout since 2011, when it lasted approximately three months. In that instance, the NFL did not miss any game action.

This time, Smith isn’t sure if it will lead to missed games. Nevertheless, tensions appear to be through the roof with the league owners claiming they were misled during the latest negotiations in 2010.

With three more years to go under the current collective bargaining agreement, Smith sat down with Albert Breer of SI‘s Monday Morning Quarterback to share his thoughts on the ongoing situation.

"“All of the mutual benefits that were supposed to happen as a result of the opt-out didn’t happen last time. Owners colluded with each other. We found out they colluded with each other. All of the bad things that went to the players happened and all of the bad things that went to the owners didn’t happen.We have a new deal where if it doesn’t get fixed, you head into a certain small ‘A’ armageddon.”"

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There are obviously big holes in the current CBA, but it’s fair to assume guaranteed contracts and clarity on players suspensions will be first on the to-do list. The NFL is the only major sports organization that does not hand out guaranteed contracts. Roger Goodell is always the epitome of inconsistency in terms of handing out punishments. The ongoing fight with Ezekiel Elliot and the NFL could only lead to more bad blood with the Players Association.

This situation moving forward is certainly one to monitor.