Tretter served as NFLPA president when a top-secret process resulted in Howell being hired. Then, after Tretter was no longer eligible to serve as NFLPA president, Howell hired Tretter into the newly-created position of chief strategy officer.

Thursday night’s news that NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell has resigned isn’t necessarily the end. It’s possibly the beginning of a two-step process that will result in the NFLPA severing ties with the man most identified with the hiring of Howell in the first place.