The NFL transitioned to Phase 2 of their offseason workout program on Monday, opening up the return of veteran players.
The offseason workout program remains voluntary until June’s mandatory minicamp. The NFLPA has been encouraging players to skip out on voluntary team activities, largely due to potential exposure to COVID-19. That message seems to have fallen on deaf ears in Kansas City.
According to KC Star beat writer Herbie Teope, nearly the entirety of the 90-man offseason roster was present for the start of Phase 2, with 81 total players showing up. Those are good numbers, especially when you consider that many teams have issued statements via the NFLPA agreeing to boycott these voluntary workouts and team meetings.
I'm told the Chiefs had 81 players present for today's start of Phase II of the NFL's offseason workout program, which is, of course, voluntary. That's a great number.
Chiefs kick off Phase III next week with OTAs.
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) May 17, 2021
It’s possible that minds may have changed recently, after the very public situation surrounding Broncos RT Ja’Wuan James, who suffered an injury away from the team that will potentially result in a voided salary. What’s more likely in Kansas City is that the team leaders know that the team and coaches have their best interests in mind.
After the draft, Chiefs GM Brett Veach explained that Andy Reid had been in contact with two of the most prominent leaders on the team to get players involved in the voluntary portion of the offseason program.
“Yeah, so as far as the conversation with the leaderships and OTA’s, Coach (Andy) Reid is handling that with Pat (Patrick Mahomes) and Tyrann (Mathieu) and those guys,” Veach explained after the draft.
Phase 2 of the offseason program only lasts for one week before the Chiefs transition into Phase 3 at the onset of Organized Team Activities (OTAs). The first set of OTAs kicks off on May 25 in Kansas City.
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