Players Ratify CBA, Lockout Ends

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 26, 2011 4:00PM

Game on! The NFL Players Association officially ratified an agreement yesterday. The owners approved the agreement last Thursday, thus ending the four-month-long lockout. The owners got a revenue split that's more in their favor than the past deal and reigned in rookie contracts. Players gained commitments on teams spending most of the salary cap and reductions in off-season and training camp workload.

With training camps supposed to open this week, the NFL is now scrambling to begin its league year and teams are in a mad rush to set their rosters while simultaneously preparing for the upcoming season. Under the agreement, players may begin using team facilities as soon as this morning, and teams can also begin signing draft picks and undrafted rookie free agents. The first teams to report to training camp will do so on Wednesday, 15 days ahead of their first preseason game. Bears report to Bourbonnais on Friday, with their first exhibition now scheduled for August 13 against the Buffalo Bills now that the Hall of Fame Game was canceled.

The Bears have already begun juggling their roster in preparation for free agency. Negotiations can begin today, with players able to sign contracts on Friday. Among the moves the Bears have made in preparation are to move Chris Harris back to strong safety, an indication they don't plan to re-sign Danieal Manning, and to announce they are not planning to re-sign punter Brad Maynard. The Bears will look to add a veteran wide receiver, cornerback and have also shown interest in pass rusher Jason Babin, who recorded 12 1/2 sacks for the Tennessee Titans last year, as well as Jaguars' linebacker Justin Durant.