There Will Be Football.....

Source: AP

Finally, the NFL and its players association agreed to a settlement to end its 4½-month lockout. The NFLPA executive committee and 32 team reps voted unanimously to approve and signed the terms of the deal. "It's been a long time coming. Football is back and that's great news for everybody," commissioner Roger Goodell said outside the NFLPA's headquarters. And, Smith stepped outside of the group's headquarters earlier to announce that players approved the pact.

As he spoke, Smith was flanked by NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Colts center Jeff Saturday and Ravens defensive back Domonique Foxworth, key members of the players' negotiating team. Brees is one of 10 plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuit that players filed against the league.

Moments later, Goodell walked into the building, joined by owners Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, John Mara of the New York Giants and Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, one of the 10 named plaintiffs in the players' antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, said in a statement, "I want to get back to work."

According to the timeline for league business to begin, trades can be made beginning Tuesday and free-agent signings can be filed with the league office Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

Teams may begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents beginning Tuesday or even as early as Monday afternoon.