For the most part, the NFLPA was all about getting all the money they could squeeze out of the owners, and everything else was secondary.  If the TV ratings keep taking a hit like this, the money may be shrinking this time rather than going higher and higher.  

This could be a very difficult negotiation coming up.  In the past everything was an embarrassment of riches for the NFL (owners AND players).  It was just a matter of splitting up the huge pot of gold.  But now they have a lot of other big issues to sort out that (for the most part) they didn't have to deal with in past negotiations.  

IMO, 10-20% of the current player salaries should be shifted over to support benefits instead for after they leave the game (savings plans, medical costs, CTE issues, and a pool for the old legacy retirees that helped build the game into something these current players are able to get rich from).