In Houston on Wednesday afternoon, Roger Goodell fielded questions from reporters on a wide range of topics. Here’s a look at the highlights:
- Goodell said there’s no timetable on the league’s investigation into domestic violence allegations against Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). About two weeks ago, Elliott indicated that he is unhappy with the pace of the NFL’s investigation. The league has been investigating Elliott since July, and it reportedly regarded him as “Public Enemy No. 1” as of November.
- The NFL is still reviewing the possibility of putting together a developmental league, Goodell said (Twitter link via CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora). review/study. “We have a debate that goes on,” he said. “It’s something we’re actively considering.” Troy Vincent, the NFL’s head of football operations, has been pushing the idea of a D-League or in-season academy to help groom young talent. Meanwhile, there will be a non-NFL affiliated spring league launching this year.
- Goodell says Josh Brown‘s domestic violence investigation remains open (Twitter link via La Canfora). Regardless of the outcome, it’s hard to see the former Giants kicker getting another chance in the NFL. If Greg Hardy and Ray Rice can’t get work, then I can’t imagine a team weathering a PR nightmare for a kicker.
- Goodell indicated that the league is ready to start discussing an extension to the collective bargaining agreement (Twitter link via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports). The current CBA goes through the 2020 season.
Haha I hope Goodell doesn’t actually think this CBA will be extended as is.
Another spring league. How many times does this idea have to fail before people learn. Unbelievable.
Goodell probably halted the DV case against Elliot so he had it hanging over his head during the playoffs. Wait this sounds familiar. The NFL holding on to something way too long and won’t let it go because they don’t want to lose even if they have to lie? I am certain that I have heard that somewhere else. Oh well I can’t remember but I know one thing GO PATS
Ummm can u say deflategate!!!!!!
GO PATRIOTS. #ONE MORE.#patriots nation #dynasty
What a shocker. Goodell not giving a s#** about timetables for players who are / might get suspended. Believe me I’ve got no love for the dudes who deserve their missed time, but RG’s nonchalant “I’ll get you eventually if I feel like it” attitude towards this aspect of his job infuriates me.
It is absurd. What are they going to find out that they haven’t uncovered in the last 7 months. If EE beat a woman, throw the book at him. If not, move on down the road. Goodell is not a good commissioner.
Can someone please explain to me how RG still has a job? He’s the most incompetent commissioner in all of sports! People are dying and unable to live a normal life after football because of the damage caused by concussions I’d believe if he really cared about safety he would do everything in his power to minimize it, there’s helmets that can detect when a player most likely has a concussion which is a lot better than oh looks like he hit his head hard might have one.
He holds grudges for no reason (Aldon Smith, Josh Gordon) to my knowledge both have turned things around but he refuses to let them play. He is the judge jury and executioner that can’t be allowed anymore. He’s extremely petty, with deflategate, he was proved wrong yet he made it go on for a year! He’s the Trump of the NFL, no matter how much evidence is shown against his case he won’t believe it and will dismiss it. We need him out of football immediately
There’s a very simple answer to your question: he’s not paid by the players to keep them safe. He’s paid by the owners to make them money.