With the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the NFLPA set to expire after the 2020 season, the two sides have been busy trying negotiate a new deal this offseason, and although things seem to be going well, DeMaurice Smith is still telling players to plan for a work stoppage. 

Smith, who serves as the executive director of the NFLPA, sent out an email to agents around the league this week telling them to make sure their clients are financially prepared for a lockout or strike of at least one year. 

"We are advising players to plan for a work stoppage of at least a year in length," the email states. 

The email was obtained by the Sports Business Journal.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that he would like to see a deal done soon. Goodell was actually asked about negotiations during a brief press conference at the NFL's spring meeting last week. 

"I do hope it is sooner rather than later," Goodell said of the new CBA, via the New York Times.

The last time the NFL had to cancel games due to a work stoppage came in 1987.