The Patriots were like many other teams in recent weeks releasing statements through the NFLPA regarding attendance at voluntary offseason workouts.
But, the Patriots' was a little different as theirs said "many" players would not be attending when most teams said all players would not be attending. And after a few weeks of Phase 1, it seems more Patriots players are actually attending these workouts than not.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, one member of the Patriots estimates more than 50 players have been present at the workouts. Players arrive in small groups at different times over the course of the day due to COVID-protocols, so it's not like all players are there at the same time.
This appears to be a pretty big deal, as on a NFLPA call Friday, the union continued to urge players not to attend these workouts.
Phase 2 of the offseason workout program will be next week where "on-field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills, 'perfect play' drills, drills and plays conducted with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, with each group permitted to align eleven or fewer players across from eleven or fewer players."
And then Phase 3 will begin May 24 and will be the usual four weeks in length. Teams can have in-person meetings during Phase 3 and begin OTAs with no live contact.
