The NFL released an outline of their offseason program on Wednesday – one day after the NFLPA sent a memo to players recommending they do not attend voluntary workouts and a fully virtual offseason.
While some teams have already begun to boycott showing up to the facilities, the NFL’s nine-week program, outlined in three phases, contains mostly virtual work.
Phase I, from April 19 to May 14, consists of virtual meetings two hours per day and no on-field drills or work with coaches. The team facility and weight room will have capacity limits in place and teams must make every effort to have a COVID vaccine available for players, staff and families.
Phase II, from May 17 to May 21, will continue to have virtual meetings, but on-field drills with coaches will begin, per CBA rules, with no contact. Rookie minicamps will be held in this phase.
Phase III, from May 24 to June 18, will consists of 10 traditional OTAs with no contact, the option of in-person or virtual meetings as well as mandatory minicamp.
This still does not fully fall in line with the NFLPA’s desire to have a fully virtual offseason prior to training camp. The Seahawks, Broncos, Patriots, Lions and Bucs have all issued statements that they will not participate in voluntary offseason workouts.
The NFL argues that their facilities are safe, and that daily testing, staff vaccination and other COVID protocols such as social distancing and masks will be enforced.
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