There have been a number of obstacles that NFL teams like the Chicago Bears have dealt with over the last several months with the coronavirus pandemic.
While there have been some challenges — including an entirely virtual offseason — things are on track for the start of the 2020 season.
Still, one of the obvious concerns is player health, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the NFL and NFLPA are currently discussing potential player opt-outs with coronavirus cases on the rise.
Pelissero said that the league and union believe player opt-outs will be available, but that they’ll need to be communicated by a certain date.
NFL, NFLPA discussing plan for potential player opt-outs in 2020; opt-out date still TBD (via @TomPelissero)https://t.co/FvBLlUN2Ku
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 8, 2020
“My understanding is both the union and the league intend to have an opt-out for players who have either a pre-existing condition, family (members) with pre-existing conditions, just general concerns over COVID-19, would not want to play this season,” Pelissero said. “General managers were told on a call earlier this week there would be a specific date by which players would need to opt-out. That date is still to be determined.”
With training camp set to begin in just a few weeks, the NFL and NFLPA need to act quick when it comes to details of any potential opt-outs ahead of the 2020 season.
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