The NFL and NFLPA currently have a CBA (collective bargaining agreement) that runs through the 2020 season. However, the two sides are already working on a new deal – and things are heating up.

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the NFL and the NFLPA have been attempting to reach a new CBA deal. Those talks are going to only intensify in July.

According to the article, there has been one owner/player negotiations in each of the last three months (April, May, and June). However, there could be three or four talks between the groups in July alone.

The last time there was a need for a new CBA things were much murkier. The owners agreed in 2008 to opt out of the agreement after 2010. This almost led to a shortened season. There was a brief lockout, but it was resolved in time to have the full season – and only really hurt the offseason to an extent.

Both sides don't want something like that to happen again.

Whenever the deal is done, you can expect some new changes. Things such as contracts and salary caps could change. The way teams can hold onto players could change. Even rules and restrictions on the players could vary.

Whatever happens, the hope is that the two sides can come to an agreement that makes them both happy. Clearly, they're on the path to making that happen – that's why talks have been going on and are set to intensify soon. The two sides want the new CBA in place before the 2019 season.

Whenever it finally does happen though, expect the NFL and the NFLPA to have a lot to say about the deal.