The NFL was criticized by Donald Trump in a speech in Alabama on Friday and his comments were strongly rebuked by players and owners.

Roger Goodell monitored the protests during anthems across the NFL.

“The way we reacted today, and this weekend, made me proud,” Goodell said. “I’m proud of our league.”

Goodell wouldn't comment publicly on how he personally felt when he heard Trump's comments, but a source said he had “profound disappointment” over the comments. 

Goodell told me Sunday night: “I spent a lot of time listening to our players and coaches and owners over the past two days. They really care about our league. I just think we need more understanding. I was trying to find out with the players and coaches, ‘How are you feeling? What’s going on in your locker rooms?’ They were trying to figure out ways to respond.”

The contract extension of Roger Goodell as commissioner of NFL has been agreed upon that will run through 2024. The issues that were delaying Goodell's extension have been resolved.

It could take days, or maybe weeks, to finalize, but the contract is "getting done," according to the source.

Jerry Jones raised issues about the deal and wanted to open up the search. Jones tried to insert himself into negotiations but ultimately was unsuccessful in preventing the deal.

"That's what he tried to do," the source said, "but he got shot down."

A conference call Wednesday of the compensation committee helped seal the deal.

Goodell's current deal expires in 2019. Goodell earned $34.1 million in compensation in 2014 and $32 million in 2015.

DeMaurice Smith was unanimously re-elected NFLPA executive director with a 14-0 vote.

The three-year term runs through 2021, which coincides with the final year of the current collective bargaining agreement.

"This union is centered on player leadership. I am proud of their commitment, humbled by their trust in me and honored to serve. There is more work to be done," Smith said in tweet that featured the hashtag "#OneTeam".

Jerry Jones confirmed his role in the negotiations of Roger Goodell's new contract as commissioner of the NFL.

“First of all, it is a time that he’s expressed interest and the league has expressed interest and renewing and extending his agreement,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “Now, you just have to get used to this in the NFL, you’re not always going to be on the same side of the fence with the Commissioner. And certainly when he’s negotiating to extend his contract, he’s negotiating and the league is in a position of negotiating with him. So it shouldn’t surprise anybody that you’re not always on the same side of the ledger.”

Jones reportedly believes Goodell's salary as commissioner has been too high.

“I’m well known as having been a support of Roger Goodell,” Jones said. “On the other hand, when you get into negotiating and extending, you find yourself in a negotiation. And I think that’s what you’re getting the sense of. There’s just negotiation going on. . . . What we’re talking about is his agreement and certainly — just picture this, you could certainly be supportive of Roger Goodell but not necessarily in agreement with terms or if you will structure of his contract. That’s the point of the negotiation. So you’re seeing a negotiation that’s going on and I’m a part of the negotiation on behalf of all the owners.”

The value of the Dallas Cowboys has increased by 14 percent in the last year to reach $4.8 billion.

The New England Patriots rank second at $3.7 billion, followed by the New York Giants at $3.3 billion, Washington at $3.1 billion and the San Francisco 49ers at $3.05 billion.

On average, NFL teams are now worth $2.52 billion, which is an increase of eight percent since 2016.

Forbes reported earlier this year that the average baseball franchise is worth $1.54 billion.

Jerry Jones has blocked the progress of contract negotiations on an extension for Roger Goodell.

"If not for Jerry," one person familiar with the contract negotiations said this weekend, "this deal would be done."

Some owners believe an extension for Goodell will eventually be agreed upon, but others aren't as sure now that Jones has interjected himself into the process.

Goodell's current deal expires in 2019 and was expected to have a deal done before the start of the season.

Jones has argued persistently for months to the committee that other owners believe Goodell makes "way too much money" and demands a pay cut and a radical change in the formula that compensates the commissioner.

Jones will be on a conference call this week with the compensation committee to discuss Goodell's salary.

Goodell has earned more than $200 million since he was elected commissioner in 2006.

"Jerry's not saying, 'Don't hire Roger.' He's saying, 'I hate this [proposed] deal; redo it,'" said one source.

Some owners believe Goodell's contributions to the NFL's success have been overstated.

"This is about money and a guy [Goodell] making way too much money on a grossly stupid contract for the job."

Scot McCloughan has filed a grievance with the NFL over Washington's decision to fire him.

McCloughan had an annual salary of $1 million to $2 million per season as general manager of Washington.

“I know who I am and what I did there,” McCloughan said, with no sign of animus in his voice. “Did I build a Super Bowl champion? No. But I did a good job, along with other people there, of making the roster better. I did a good job, with [Coach] Jay [Gruden], in making the quarterback change.” 

McCloughan has relaunched Instinctive Scouting, which he started when he resigned in April of 2014 with the Seattle Seahawks.

McCloughan has spoken openly about his issues with alcoholism. 

Colin Kaepernick remains a free agent as the 2017 begins and several teams start quarterbacks that are inferior to him by any objective matter.

“No one wants to deal with that,” said an owner of one of the league’s 32 franchises.

“No one wants the nonsense or the [B.S.] . . . It’s not collusion, it’s common sense,” the NFL owner said, going on to credit Kaepernick on one front. “The thing that he’s done probably more effectively than any team community relations staff or owner or coach could do for other players is [point out] that they do have the ability to affect the national dialogue.”

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who shared football opinions from several decision-makers on why Kaepernick remains unsigned, even admitted this week that he would have a contract if not for his social activism.

Nope. He'd have a job, if there wasn't a protest. I never denied that. It's just not a one-topic thing. His play is a major factor. https://t.co/IiTx3ZoV3s

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 6, 2017

“He had no idea how big it was going to get,” said Nate Boyer, an ex-Green Beret who has occasionally communicated with Kaepernick over the past year.