Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones kiss and make up

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who opposed Goodell's extension and was critical about the approach taken by Blank and the compensation committee in working out the deal, spoke to the other owners during Wednesday's meeting. But Blank said that Jones' role "was not a factor" in determining the structure of the contract and the package of incentives.

Last week, Roger Goodell broke the hearts of National Football League fans everywhere after he signed a signed a contract extension to remain the commissioner of the NFL.

Lockhart said that Goodell would spend time over the next five years identifying and grooming his successor. "In the long haul, we'll really get some meaningful things done because of what we've been doing over the last few months".

As Lockhart mentioned, Goodell's new deal will keep him in charge of the league for two upcoming negotiations that will shape the future of the NFL.

Blank, chairman of the NFL's compensation committee, said Jones did, however, have input on possible changes to how the committee is put together.

"Jerry, do I look like I take it personally?"

Jones' opposition to Goodell's contract, which included a threatened lawsuit, wasn't just about Elliott's situation but other league concerns over the a year ago, including a TV ratings decline and player protests during the national anthem.

Goodell has been heavy-handed in doling out punishment in connection with the Patriots' alleged deflation of footballs before the AFC Championship Game in 2016, New England's illegal videotaping of opponents' defensive signals, the Saints' alleged use of bounties in 2009 and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's domestic violence case in 2016.

"I don't know that there's a rift going forward", Blank said. But as Jones spearheads the efforts for ownership to regain some control from the league office, you can't help but question whether there is some kind of power struggle in the offing. We obviously have challenges just like any other industry.

Jones has denied that the suspension was the impetus for his objections over Goodell's contract. Blank removed Jones as an ad-hoc member of the committee after the threat of a lawsuit. It was a very good conversation. Blank said owners were updated in general meetings and with multiple phone calls. "He does love this league, there's no question of that in my mind". "We went to great lengths to make sure we were completely transparent".

"The job changes and the challenges are different", Goodell said.

Jones has been a vocal advocate of delaying Goodell's extension, complaining about the high price tag of the deal and offering his view that there has been a lack of transparency by Blank in negotiating it.