Vikings linebacker Ben Leber was among a large group of NFL players in attendance today at a meeting with owners for a 4-hour negotiating session at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service office of George Cohen in Washington D.C., according to the NFL website.

Leber, who stands to become a free agent when there is a new collective bargaining agreement, is one of the Vikings assistant player representatives. According to the story, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said owners would be open to extending the deadline for expiration of the CBA beyond Thursday at 10:59 p.m. central time.

It remains unclear, however, if the sides can actually get close enough on a deal to make an extension worth their while. Mediation is expected to continue on Thursday morning.