Let the mediation begin.

One day after meeting with lawyers representing the NFL Players Association, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan met today with NFL lawyers and officials in advance of Thursday's mediation in Minnesota ordered by federal court judge Susan Nelson.

According to NFL Network, Boylan met with NFL general counsel Jeff Pash, outside counsel Bob Batterman and other league officials for roughly five hours.

"We appreciated the opportunity to speak with the Chief Magistrate Judge today and review the issues with him in preparation of our session tomorrow," Pash said. "And we're looking forward to seeing the players and their representatives tomorrow morning."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith are expected to attend.