The Pittsburgh Steelers players are opting out of in-person OTAs and will conduct them virtual.
The players released a statement through the NFLPA:
We should not be made to compromise our health and safety. With the current pandemic still affecting our communities and country, and the lack of clear protocols and protections regarding returning to work at full capacity, the players of the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to exercise our right to not participate in voluntary in-person activities.
A virtual offseason helped keep us safe to not only start, but finish the regular season as safely as possible and it makes no sense for us to risk infection or injury in the spring if we don't have to. The protections we had in place last year are not fully in place now and remain unclear. We are professional and are committed to being in the best shape possible. Our team hold each other accountable to the highest professional standards and we will prepare as we always do to be the best for Steelers Nation.
The Browns, Broncos, Buccaneers, Giants and Raiders are just some of the other teams with players that have opted out.
Details are still being worked out for the rest of the typical offseason actives, including minicamp.
