NFL owners have approved a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will now go to the desk of the NFLPA. If agreed upon (far from guaranteed), there would be an expanded playoff format, 17 regular season games and larger rosters/practice squad rosters.
Additionally, the NFL would shy away from discipline for marijuana users and pay players up to $250,000 for the 17th regular season game.
Initial reactions have been mixed with more high-profile NFL players saying they aren’t a fan of the proposed changes.
You can add retired New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz to the list of people who aren’t in support of the proposed changes, expanded season or pay scale for game No. 17.
“We don’t need any more games. We got enough. 16 is enough. Playoffs is enough,” Cruz told TMZ Sports.
Even with one preseason game expected to be removed from the yearly calendar, Cruz doesn’t believed the added regular season game benefits the players.
“Guys don’t play in the preseason anyway,” Cruz said. “I just don’t want them adding any more games. These players, there’s enough wear and tear on their bodies. We don’t need any more games.”
But it’s not all negative for Cruz. Like many others, he is a fan of the expanded playoff format that has been proposed.
“That I’m not mad at because there’s a lot of teams that go 10-6 and if they don’t win the division, they might not make the playoffs or get that wildcard spot.”
Cruz ultimately signed off saying that NFL players “need more money in general,” so the added $250,000 for game No. 17 wouldn’t suffice. It especially wouldn’t suffice for players who would earn substantially less than that for the added game.
We’ll see if Cruz’s opinions are reflected on Friday when the NFLPA meets to discuss the proposed CBA changes.
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