Speaking Wednesday at the Winter League Meeting in Irving, Texas, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed there are no acceptable stadium solutions on the table in either San Diego or Oakland.
The NFL will continue to work with those cities, Goodell explained, but the decision is ultimately up to the owners and communities.
"We have not made great progress in Oakland or San Diego," Goodell said. "There is not a stadium proposal on the table that we think addresses the long term issues of the clubs and the communities, so we need to continue to work at it."
Chargers owner Dean Spanos reiterated his stance when he told reporters Wednesday he won't make any decision until after the season.
"It's Dean's option by January 15," Goodell said.
The commissioner also confirmed that NFL required the Rams to include the option of accommodating a second team in their stadium when owner Stan Kroenke was granted approval to move his organization to Los Angeles.
As for Las Vegas being a potential relocation option for the Raiders, Goodell said there were "some very positive signs" associated with the city.
Here's what else we learned from Wednesday's news conference:
"What I'm aware of is the protocols, we went back to look and make sure they were followed properly. They were," Goodell said. "The Giants had asked us about it during the game. We went back and checked that they were properly followed. So, all of the league protocols being properly followed, there was no further follow-up on that. The teams didn't follow up, we didn't follow up any further because we were comfortable the protocols were followed."
- Asked by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport about his recent meeting with Aldon Smith, Goodell wouldn't speculate on a timetable for the suspended Raiders linebacker to be reinstated. "It was good for me to hear from him personally," Goodell added.
- Goodell offered no timetable for the league's investigation into a possible violation of personal conduct policy by Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys have said they are "very comfortable" with the rookie running back's explanation for a domestic violence accusation from last offseason.
- There's no question the U.S. Presidential debates had an impact on sagging televisions ratings early in the season, per Goodell. "Since the election, ratings are down two percent," Goodell explained, "compared to double digits before the election." He added that while fan engagement is up, the league is actively working on ways to improve "the quality of what we're presenting."
"We see some very healthy things in the last few weeks, but we still have a lot of work to do," Goodell said.
- Goodell expects the NFL's salary cap to increase by roughly $10 million per team. Citing team sources, Rapoport reported Tuesday that the cap could eclipse $166 million in 2017.
