Last month, the thinking was that the NFLPA would ensure that the next labor agreement modifies language that currently makes restricted free agents who fail to report by Week 10 in the current season restricted free agents again in the next season.
In past years, the provision was meaningless, since only players with three years of service (and an unexpired contract) counted as restricted free agents. Four years were needed to qualify for unrestricted free agency. Thus, if a restricted free agent failed to sign his tender by Week 10, he'd still have three years of service in the next season -- and he'd still be a restricted free agent.
This year, with the rules of the uncapped year pushing the threshold for unrestricted free agency from four years to six, players like Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson and Patriots guard Logan Mankins became restricted free agents despite having five years of service. If the next labor deal incorporates four or five years as the minimum seasons of service for unrestricted free agency, both players already would be eligible. But the language of the CBA regarding restricted free agents who fail to report in a given year would potentially prevent them from truly become free.
The fact that the NFLPA has recommended that both players report in time to get credit for the 2010 season means that the NFLPA has decided not to push for a change to the relevant language of the CBA.