I share everyone else's sentiments in this thread, but I'm not as optimistic that Roger's end is near. Based on the date of the alleged contact, and the stalled negotiations to renew Roger's contract (remember the Jerry Jones incident at that time...circa August 2017?), has anyone considered that the information was leaked as leverage to encourage Roger to sign the extension at the offered compensation? Seems like he was extended shortly after this leak, so with the benefit of hindsight, perhaps support for Roger isn't weakening as much as owners just wanted to extend him at the lesser rate they consider appropriate, rather than the "raise" and the "NFL jet" Roger reportedly was asking for. JMO...
I think the breaking point will be the next CBA. While the NFL ownership group and the player's union have shared interests in the continued success of the league, they also have competing interests in how that will be achieved. This is pretty typical, but there's a third competing interest in this equation, IMO, in that Roger has his own personal agenda. Roger is a power-monger who likes his ring kissed. The last CBA was negotiated with concessions to Roger & the NFL by the Player's Union to allow disciplinary procedures to be handled in a streamline fashion, in order to further Roger's "integrity of the shield" agenda. While we can argue that the NFLPA was "naive" and/or "short-sighted" to agree to such things, they agreed based on a frame of reference that started with Tagliabue, and Roger was a protege of Tagliabue. In retrospect, Roger has re-defined some concepts and languages in a different way from Tagliabue, with each instance establishing a new precedent for expanded disciplinary power by the commissioner. Furthermore, IMO, I believe the NFLPA believed (as we all did), that NFL investigations would be conducted in a fair, thorough, and unbiased manner, as they always were. However, the CBA didn't define it, which allowed Roger wide latitude to re-define it with precedent.
This is why he has doggedly pursued discipline against the likes of Tom Brady (a marquee player who is arguably a face of the league) to Robert Krafts ire (one of the most powerful owners), for Deflate-gate. Think about it...why does a player accused of deflating a football receive a suspension commensurate with the punishment for physical assault or spousal abuse? And why de-value the face of one of the marquee players in the league, who plays for one of the most powerful owner's in the league and who has supported every questionable move by Roger? Roger saw a fool-proof avenue to consolidate power and establish new precedent for the commissioner! That's not acting in the NFL's best interest, that's acting in Roger's best interest! We saw a very similar issue unfold with Zeke Elliot and Jerry Jones. Again, a marquee "face of the NFL" type player and a very powerful owner targeted by Roger, in order to cement Roger's disciplinary powers. This time, for an incident that ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED before Zeke was an NFL player! And do I need to even discuss Bountygate with this crowd? 4 players accused and suspended...all 4 re-instated upon appeal, due to LACK OF EVIDENCE! The only reason the 3 coach and GM suspensions stuck was because there was no Coach/Executive Association to appeal the process. Roger's agenda is about ROGER...sometimes the NFL benefits too, but Roger always benefits! And THIS will be his undoing, IMO...
I fully expect a lockout or walkout at the next CBA. The NFLPA will be looking to address/redress the disciplinary rules and procedures that Roger was allowed to define in the last CBA. THIS will be the major sticking point! Roger will see it as a non-negotiable "precedent set...get over it", while the NFLPA will want everything defined and codified. The problem will be that Robert Kraft, Jerry Jones, Gayle Benson, and some other influential owners will view Roger in a different light since the last CBA. Their major concerns will be revenue, and with a walkout/lockout, scab players, substitute leagues, the revenue will take a hit. A power-mongering commissioner will likely be viewed as the most threatening obstacle to the revenue stream, and THAT is when the fun will begin.
Buh-bye Roger...your legacy will be "the commissioner no one liked, and no one misses!" JMO...