NFL may now only want one team in Los Angeles

The rat race that could very well lead to NFL relocation back to Southern California in time for the 2016 season continues to take interesting turns.

By now, you already know that the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders all have plans in place to build a new venue in the nation's second-largest media market, Los Angeles. The Rams plan, spearheaded by owner Stan Kroenke, is potentially set to break ground in Inglewood late this year. Meanwhile, the Chargers and Raiders are working on a joint stadium plan in Carson, CA., just a few miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Both plans have already cleared the political red tape in their respective locations with each city council voting in favor of erecting new stadiums. They are both seen as legitimate options by the powers to be within the NFL.

Though, a new report from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggests that the NFL could move only one team to Los Angeles. Citing a source close to the situation, the scribe suggests that things have changed drastically around league circles over the past few weeks. The indication here is that a one-team relocation plan wouldn't simply be a short-term measure. Instead, it would be permanent.

There's a whole lot to look at when delving into this report. If true, the Rams would seem to have the upper hand over both the Chargers and the Raiders. Logistically, a joint stadium venture would be stuck in the mud if the NFL were to decide a one-team relocation plan is in the league's best interest. That would force either the Chargers or Raiders to drop relocation plans with the remaining team going about the process of having to build a one-team venue in Carson.

This all comes with a backdrop of the Raiders failing to find any momentum as it relates to building a new venue in Oakland. A recent plan for a stadium complex to house the team has fallen apart — the latest in a laundry list of failed stadium plans since the team moved back to Northern California from Los Angeles two decades ago.

And while there is more momentum for stadiums being built in both St. Louis and San Diego, there have been no concrete plans put forth to the NFL by either city.

The NFL itself has been working behind the scenes to figure out what plan will work best for potential relocation in time for next season.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week that NFL Executive Vice President Eric Grubman, the league's point man on relocation, will soon defer to Commissioner Roger Goodell and six key owners that make up the committee on relocating to Los Angeles. That will ultimately be the final step before league owners vote on the plans — something that will likely take place in January.

Check out Vincent's other work on eDraft.com and follow him on Twitter @VincentFrankNFL