Okung accuses NFLPA of negotiating CBA in bad faith

Russell Okung filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday alleging the NFL Players Association negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement in bad faith, according to Ken Belson of The New York Times.

In the filing, he accuses NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith of overriding the executive committee to push forward the owners' proposed CBA, an apparent violation of the union's constitution. Six members of the 11-person committee voted not to recommend the CBA, but it received enough support from team representatives to send it to the rest of the players.

Players can pass the CBA, which would allow owners to expand the regular season to 17 games, with a simple majority when they vote. They can cast their ballots until the end of Sunday.

Okung adamantly opposes the potential new CBA, arguing that a longer regular season goes against the union's stated priority of serving the health and safety of its members.

The 31-year-old has played for the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers over his 10-year career. He's set to join the Carolina Panthers after a trade from the Chargers once the NFL begins processing transactions on March 18.

Okung is one four players reportedly running for NFLPA president, a position Eric Winston will vacate after six years of service. Winston is ineligible for another term since he didn't play in the NFL during the 2019 season.

Sam Acho of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Michael Thomas of the New York Giants, and JC Tretter of the Cleveland Browns are also candidates to succeed Winston.

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