The litany of preseason NFL magazines have started to make their way onto shelves around the country, which is a somewhat subtle reminder that we are growing closer and closer towards money time in the league’s labor negotiations.

Reports circulated over the weekend that the NFL and player representatives planned on working through the July 4th holiday weekend to potentially begin crafting together some sort of agreement.

It appears the date that some pundits suggest is a watershed moment in these negotiations would be July 15.

If the league fails to come up with an agreement by the aforementioned date, problems begin to spring.

Notably, training camp and the preseason may need alterations if an agreement is reached closer towards the end of July, which would likely impact the league’s profits.

If the NFL loses one week of preseason football, they stand to lose $200 million.

While that might seem like chump change in terms of the NFL’s rather deep pockets, it begins to impact the global picture of the entire season.

Remember, one of the more mind-numbing aspects of a prospective deal is the immediate aftermath.

Once the ink dries on the deal and the league is officially given the thumbs up to return to business, teams still have to address the following items:

• Free Agency
• Trades
• Signing Draft Picks
• Training Camp

A cluster of NFL teams will not be properly shaped until they address the first two items.

For example, to a team in Kevin Kolb trade discussions (Seattle, Arizona), how easy will it be to acclimate a new starting quarterback into a new system in a short span?

That’s just one of the many questions looming once the NFL returns.

What about Donovan McNabb in Washington?

How will the Jets handle the Braylon Edwards/Brad Smith/Santonio Holmes situation during free agency?

Who will sign Nnamdi Asomugha?

Remember Peyton Manning? While he’ll likely wear a franchise tag, I’m sure he’d like a tidy new deal in line with what Tom Brady received last season.

How would Peyton’s teammate Robert Mathis feel about all of this contract talk?

He is rumored to be unhappy with his deal and is allegedly threatening to hold out.

Will Carson Palmer really retire or end up in a new uniform?

What if Sidney Rice jumps ship in Minnesota? Will that impact the receiver market?

Then again, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus, veteran wideout Terrell Owens will be recovered from his ACL injury by August?

See how disjointed and confusing this appears to be?

Whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, complete chaos is soon to follow.