NFLPA head Smith on CBA negotiations: 'We prepare for war'

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith anticipates a difficult negotiation process with the NFL regarding the next collective bargaining agreement.

"We prepare for war," Smith said during his press conference Thursday, according to Bleacher Report's Natalie Weiner.

The current CBA is scheduled to expire after the 2020 season.

Smith also said he doesn't believe player protests against police brutality and racial inequality led to declining television ratings this season, noting that other sports, including NASCAR, experienced declining ratings with no correlation to protests.

The 53-year-old, who has served as executive director of the NFLPA since March 2009, added that this season has been one of the best of his career in large part due to player protests.

"For me, this has been one of the most thrilling and fulfilling years I've had in this job ..." he said, according to Yahoo Sports' Shalise Manza Young. "Players responded with more respect than they were given."