(AUDACY) The NFL isn't requiring all team employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but it's incentivizing them to do so.
In a league memo sent to all 32 clubs, any team employee who doesn't have a “bona fide medical or religious ground” to refuse the vaccine will be barred from Tier 1 or Tier 2 status at the team facility.
That would restrict access within the facility and would prohibit employees from working directly with players, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
As for protocols with the players, those are still being negotiated separately with the NFL Players Association, which includes what the offseason programs will look like.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and president JC Tretter sent a letter to players Tuesday advocating for an entirely virtual offseason, adding that players shouldn't attend voluntary offseason programs if they're conducted in person.
Offseason programs are scheduled to begin Monday. Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks players are among those who have already decided they won't report to voluntary offseason workouts.
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