NFLPA still not satisfied with NFL’s plan for offseason workouts

Although the NFL has announced plans of staging an entirely virtual Phase 1 of the offseason program before progressing to a hybrid format that will feature online meetings and on-field drill work in Phases 2 and 3, NFL Players Association leaders will continue to push for no in-person activities this spring and summer until training camps open.

On the heels of the NFL’s memo to teams on Wednesday afternoon, NFLPA executive committee members sent players an email later that evening recommending they not attend any in-person organized team activities, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak on the matter.

NFLPA brass remains adamant that so long as COVID-19 remains a threat, there’s no need to subject players and their families to unnecessary risk by holding organized team activities during the offseason. The players' union wants the offseason program to take place virtually just as it did last year to help minimize the risk of players contracting the coronavirus. The NFLPA would be in favor of players returning to the field in late July or early August for training camps.

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Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during practice at the Lions Headquarters and Training Facility. (Photo: Raj Mehta, Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)

NFLPA president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter told USA TODAY Sports in a recent interview that a 100% virtual offseason also helped players better take care of their bodies and reduce the risk of ACL tears and concussions during the 2020 regular season.

The NFL in 2021 will expand to a 17-game regular season, so finding ways to reduce wear and tear and ensure greater durability ranks among the NFLPA's chief priorities.

A person familiar with the talks between the NFL and NFLPA said on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the league’s announcement about the structure of OTAs, that the players union had yet to agree to the framework, and that it was expected that negotiations would remain ongoing between the league and players association. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were continuing.

The NFL’s memo laid out a framework in which the first phase (April 19 to May 14) would consist of virtual meetings between coaches and players with no on-field work. Team facilities would be open to players to use weight rooms on a voluntary basis.

The league instructed teams that the virtual and hybrid setup would still allow players to earn workout bonuses and the per diem of $275.

Phase 2 would run May 17-21 and would consist of virtual meetings, on-field non-contact drills and rookie minicamps. Phase 3 would consist of four weeks (May 24 to June 18) of non-contact practices (10 sessions total) and virtual meetings.

During Phases 2 and 3, daily COVID-19 testing and contact tracing would be reintroduced, just as it was during the regular season.

However, the NFLPA still is holding firm on its desire that the league commit to 100% virtual offseason, believing that players and teams can still adequately prepare for the upcoming season without in-person meetings, just as they did last season.

Follow USA TODAY Sports NFL columnist Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes.  

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