The NFL and the players' union wrapped up a sixth consecutive day of mediated talks Wednesday in Washington -- and they will meet again Thursday.
NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and most of his negotiating group -- including four current players -- left Wednesday's session at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service a little after 5:30 p.m.
That was less than an hour after Smith and a dozen members of the union's team returned from a 1 1/2-hour break. It wasn't clear what, if any, significance the break holds, although it was the first time since the mediation began Friday that either side left the building en masse in the middle of a day.
Smith and others in the union contingent declined to comment, abiding by mediator George Cohen's request that the sides stay silent.
The current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the day March 3.
In other NFL news:
• Linebacker LaMarr Woodley signed Pittsburgh's one-year franchise tender offer, the Steelers announced. In the final season of his rookie contract, Woodley, 26, made $550,000. But next season he'll stand to make more than $10 million because of the tag and his position. The Steelers could also sign him to a long-term contract.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars placed a franchise tag on Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis.