HOUSTON — The NFL players’ union will be making a push for improved equipment and for more consistent compliance with the concussion protocol.

At their annual Super Bowl news conference Thursday, the NFL Players Association also insisted there will be no extension of the 10-year labor agreement signed in 2011. But the union would be open to a renegotiation before that deal expires.

Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who at age 33 led the NFL last season with 107 receptions, announced Thursday he will return to the Cardinals next season, even with Carson Palmer's status still unknown. Associated Press/Rick Scuteri

Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston, the union president, said he believes there’s a “need to up research and what sort of equipment we can look at.”

Winston also noted that the NFLPA has to “work with the teams because there has to be better adherence to the concussion protocol.”

Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said that “no one is going to slip an addendum that is going to extend this (CBA) another few years.”

Cardinals: Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald confirmed he will be back to play a 14th NFL season.

In a text to azcardinals.com’s Darren Urban, Fitzgerald confirmed a report that he had told ESPN’s Jim Trotter on Wednesday that he would play another season.

“Truthful Trotter,” Fitzgerald wrote.

Speaking at the PGA’s Waste Management Open Pro-Am on Tuesday, Fitzgerald said he felt much better physically and had pretty much made up his mind on whether he would return, but wasn’t ready to make it public. At 33, Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions last season with 107.

The Cardinals still have not heard definitive word from quarterback Carson Palmer as to whether he will return.

Former Giants placekicker Josh Brown admitted to “holding down” his then-wife, Molly, but not to hitting or slapping her, in an interview shown Thursday morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Brown sat down with ABC News’ Paula Faris for the interview, in which Faris asked what he meant in a journal entry in which he admitted to physically, verbally and emotionally abusing Molly.

“I mean I had put my hands on her,” he said. “I kicked the chair. I held her down. The holding down was the worst moment in our marriage. I never hit her. I never slapped her. I never choked her. I never did those types of things.”

The Giants re-signed Brown before the 2016 season even though they were aware of some elements of his past. His presence on the roster eventually became a source of controversy and consternation. They released him on Oct. 25.

“I’m fully accountable to every bit of it,” Brown said of his actions. When Faris asked if he has any excuse, Brown said, “None.”

BILLS: The Bills hired five assistant coaches – Phil McGeoghan as wide receivers coach, John Egorugwu as defensive quality control coach, Marc Lubick as offensive quality control/assistant quarterbacks coach, Matt Smiley as assistant special teams coach and Bill Teerlinck as assistant defensive line coach.

They join new head coach Sean McDermott. McDermott is replacing Rex Ryan, who was fired before finishing his second season with the team.

PANTHERS: More than four months after first reporting concussion symptoms, Carolina left tackle Michael Oher remains in the league’s protocol, Coach Ron Rivera confirmed Thursday.

“He’s still in the protocol, (but) getting better,” Rivera said during a break between radio appearances at the Super Bowl media center.

The Charlotte Observer reported last week that Oher had not yet been cleared from the protocol, but has been working out. Rivera indicated Thursday he expects Oher, who missed the final 13 games of 2016, to be ready for the 2017 season.

COLTS: Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee says he is retiring. The 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowl pick made the announcement on Twitter, thanking fans for their support over the last seven seasons.

McAfee wrote that three knee surgeries in four years, the expectation of additional operations in the future and an enticing offer to work for Barstool Sports convinced him to walk away despite having two years and nearly $6 million remaining on his contract.

EAGLES: Philadelphia safety Malcolm Jenkins has won the 2017 Byron “Whizzer” White Award and his foundation will receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Players Association.

Jenkins received the honor Thursday at the union’s annual Super Bowl news conference. The award is given to a player for his profound dedication to positively impacting his team, community and country in the spirit of the former Supreme Court Justice and football player.

CHIEFS: Safety Eric Berry was a good soldier in 2016.

He wanted to get a long-term deal done, and the team said it wanted to, as well. But negotiations never quite heated up – and it wasn’t for a lack of effort on Berry’s part – so he ended up playing the season on a franchise tag that provided him with a hefty $10.8 million salary, but not the long-term security he craved.

In an interview with The Kansas City Star on Thursday, Berry made it clear that he had no intention of playing next season under the franchise tag.

“I’ll just take that time to chill with my family, honestly, (and) I’ll sit the season out,” Berry said, when asked what he’ll do if the Chiefs tag him again. “I just want what’s right. That’s it.”

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