NFL Lockout: What Does The Extension Mean?

For the second day in a row, the owners and players have agreed to push back the expiration of the current CBA. This time, they've bought themselves seven days. But what exactly does this mean? Is a deal coming? Can players still move around?

The answers are maybe and no.

the fact that the sides have agreed to extend the deadline to keep talking is a positive sign that progress is being made. If the general framework for a deal were not coming together, there would be no reason to extend the deadline. These sides have been talking for two years with neither budging, so if there was still no budging the last two days they would never think another week would help. So clearly, there’s been progress.

The fact that the deadline has been moved does not extend the signing period for players that are currently free agents. So as of now, those players are in a holding pattern and unable to sign anywhere. All the extension means right now is that the sides aren’t giving up and bringing the issue to court, it doesn’t mean it’s business as usual in the NFL. In some ways, what we have now feels a lot like a lockout... but it's not official and the two sides haven't gone to war in court.

For lots more on the developments of this week, be sure to check the lockout stream over at SBNation Philly.