The NFL has proposed to cut back on rookie salaries and create five year contracts for incoming NFL rookies. The move is being discussed as a potential salary distribution to veteran players and added player benefits.

The amount of money that went to first round NFL Draft picks last year was $525 million in guaranteed payments. The move is being discussed to avoid the potential for free agent busts such as JaMarcus Russell. Over the last ten years of the NFL Draft, teams have spent more than $2 billion in guaranteed salaries on players that have not played a down of football.

Understandably agents are opposed to the new rules and this will be a major sticking point in the negotiations moving forward. There are also rules regarding holdouts that the NFL owners wish to implement. If a rookie holds out they will only be entitled to a set amount.