Its something called Collective Bargaining Agreement, its like the Cap law, which was signed till 2006, that means the season after the next there is no cap law, very probably there will be a new CBA done by then, the worse that can happen is that the NFLPA doesnt like the new CBA and players go to strike. In that case owners and Tagliabue will rather play the season without a CBA than not play it at all. A CBA has to be placed an uncapped league wolud not make as much revenue since the small market teams would not have a shot at the SB and after years of losing seasons and no names to put on their jerseys those teams and the overall league revenue would go bankrupt. Its going to be a year at the most, or a year on strike with no football or a temporary CBA or a new CBA will be signed.