Report: NFLPA proposes no 2020 salary escrow

The National Football League Players Association has submitted an economic proposal that includes no escrow of 2020 salaries and calls for all contracts with guaranteed money be fully paid even if games are canceled, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The union submitted the proposal in response to the recommendation put forth by the league Tuesday. The NFL proposed 35% of player salaries be held in escrow this season in order to help manage costs should revenue be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The players' union has maintained that any such deal should be collectively bargained.

The NFL and NFLPA are reportedly set to meet Monday in hopes of agreeing to terms on a return-to-work protocol.

The NFLPA's reported counterproposal also includes a flat salary cap in 2021 and the spreading of 2020 revenue losses over the 2022-30 caps. The union also requested that players receive a "COVID-19 risk stipend" of up to $500,000 in the event games are canceled, Pelissero adds, though exact figures would depend on timing and other factors.

Both parties are reportedly against a significant salary-cap decrease in 2021, and the NFLPA would prefer that athletes not to be impacted by revenue losses within a single year.

The league and the players' union have recently disagreed on other COVID-19 protocols ahead of the upcoming campaign. Though the preseason is likely to be shortened by two games, the NFLPA is against staging any August games at all.