Report: NFL, NFLPA aiming to secure new CBA before 2019 season

The NFL and the players' association have begun discussing a new collective bargaining agreement in the hopes of securing a new deal before the upcoming season kicks off, sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano.

The current CBA doesn't expire until after the 2020 season, but there have already been three negotiating sessions involving players and owners, as well as regular conversations between both sides outside of those meetings, Graziano added. Talks are expected to intensify throughout July with more meetings scheduled.

Both sides are cautiously optimistic an agreement can be in place before the 2019 season begins. The owners are motivated to secure a new deal amid the league's "NFL 100" marketing campaign and impending re-negotiations with TV rights holders.

If a new agreement isn't in place by March 2020, next season will include new contract and salary cap rules as part of the final year of the CBA. Some of these rules include a team's ability to use both the franchise and transition tags.

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