NFLPA Recommends Players Don't Attend Voluntary Workouts In Light Of Continuing COVID Pandemic
PHILADELPHIA (CBS)- The Philadelphia Eagles, like all NFL teams, are preparing for the start of the offseason schedule which this year was set to begin on April 19 with the start of voluntary workouts. However, on Tuesday, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and president JC Tretter sent a letter to the league's players recommending that they skip those voluntary workouts due to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and president JC Tretter just sent this letter to all players, reiterating the union's recommendation that players should not attend voluntary workouts amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/1VotazhRyr
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 13, 2021
In the letter, Smith and Tretter state that despite the fact that the association has been in negotiations with the NFL over a virtual offseason but neither side appears ready to move off their respective positions. The letter states that the NFLPA believes that the same offseason that the league had last season is in the best interest of all involved again this year.
"We believe that having the same offseason rules as last year is in the best interest of both the players and gives us the best chance to completing a full NFL season in 2021."
The Eagles, with a new head coach in Nick Sirianni would, under normal circumstances, have the opportunity to begin their workouts earlier than teams with incumbent coaches. However, the continued presence of COVID-19 saw the league make the change to the April 19 date for all teams.
The NFL informed clubs today they can begin Phase 1 of OTAs on April 19, per source. Players are still allowed to work out at the facility in small groups, as many have been. The NFL and NFLPA continue to discuss virtual vs. in-person meetings and on-field work soon thereafter.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 30, 2021
This means no head start for teams with new head coaches, who normally could've started OTAs Monday. But unlike a year ago, some players have already been working out in team facilities, and there's hope for practices this spring, even if meetings remain virtual indefinitely.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 30, 2021
According to Pelissero, the league's latest proposal to the NFLPA was to have the first two weeks of the offseason be virtual with in-person workouts beginning after that period. The union would prefer that all offseason activities prior to the start of training camp be virtual.
Offseason programs are scheduled to begin Monday. JC Tretter told players on a call last week the NFL's last proposal was to have the first two weeks be virtual, then start in-person. The union wants everything prior to training camp to be virtual, including mandatory minicamp.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 13, 2021
The union has already put out statements on behalf of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks players saying that they will not participate in the voluntary workouts set to begin Monday.