Negotiations between the NFLPA and the owners with federal mediator George Cohen have adjourned after seven consecutive days and will resume March 1.
"At bottom, some progress was made, but very strong differences remain on the all-important core issues that separate the parties," Cohen said in a statement. "Nonetheless, I recommended, and the parties have agreed, to resume the mediation process in my office commencing next Tuesday.
"During the intervening weekend, the parties have been asked by us to assess their current positions on those outstanding issues."
Thursday was the seventh consecutive day the two sides met in Washington, as they work toward a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before the current one expires on March 3.
Throughout the week of mediation, both sides held true to their promise of media silence, not discussing what was going on inside. Talks began after the Super Bowl and came to a halt for almost a week until Cohen took over as the mediator last Friday.
"I can report that throughout this extensive period the parties engaged in highly focused, constructive dialogue concerning a host of issues covering both economics and player-related conditions," Cohen said. "The tenor of the across-the-table discussions reflected a noteworthy level of mutual respect even in the face of strongly held competing positions."
Cohen added that all sides have been asked to continue to refrain from making public comment.
The way we see it
The two sides being in constant discussion for seven consecutive days is a good sign of progress, but the fact that Cohen points out the "strong differences" that remain tells us that chances are still slim of a new deal being done by the March 3 deadline. However, it is still a positive sign that the two have agreed to resume talks on Tuesday following this weekend's Scouting Combine.
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