The Jets' C.J. Mosley is among the biggest names who have opted out of the '20 season so farGETTY IMAGES
NFL players "must make their decisions on whether to opt out" of the '20 season because of concerns over the coronavirus by 4:00pm ET on Thursday, according to Mike Jones of USA TODAY. Sources said that NFL owners and the NFLPA "agreed to the terms" last night, and the player body was "notified of the arrangement shortly after." Originally, the NFLPA and owners had "agreed to set the opt out deadline for seven days after the finalization of the modified Collective Bargaining Agreement." But with final details of the economic aspects of the deal "still unresolved, and as more than 40 players have opted out already, NFL owners wanted to nail down the opt out deadline." Teams worried that players who were "unlikely to make rosters would simply use the opt out clause to ensure themselves a stipend of $150,000 to $350,000 rather than making the move with the health and safety of themselves and their families in mind." It is "expected that provisions will be made for players to opt out after the deadline in the event that they or a family member encounter extenuating circumstances related to the coronavirus" (USA TODAY, 8/4).
SWEETEN THE DEAL: ESPN.com's Dan Graziano cited sources as saying that the NFLPA got the owners to "agree to a number of changes to the final language they feel are beneficial to the players." Changes include "better protection for players in the discipline process for 'high-risk' behavior away from the facility." Per the agreement, players "can be disciplined for engaging in activity that could increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, such as attending a concert or other indoor gathering with more than 15 people." Discipline in those cases "would be decided by an arbitrator." The agreement also includes more "favorable language governing the calculation of potential revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19 and how those are made up in future years" (ESPN.com, 8/3).
WISHFUL THINKING: In Minneapolis, Chip Scoggins writes he wants "to be optimistic" that the NFL season will take place. Wanting football to be played "does not reflect a callous attitude toward the health risks of COVID-19 and uncertainty about its long-term effects." Any player has the "absolute right to opt out and should be supported 100% without judgment." Scoggins: "My pessimism about whether this can work is hard to shake, though" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/4).
REVISED CBA FINALIZED: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio noted the NFL and NFLPA have "hammered out, finalized, and signed the formal document revising" the CBA to reflect changes brought on by the pandemic. The agreement, which was tentatively reached on July 24, "likely will be published sooner than later, allowing for full review and analysis of all terms" (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/3).
