In 2020, the Jacksonville Jaguars only had three players opt out due to COVID-19: defensive end Lerentee McCray, defensive tackle Al Woods and cornerback Rashaan Melvin. So far, no one has decided to do so in 2021, but any player still mulling it over is running out of time. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, players have until July 2 at 4 p.m. to decide if they will partake in the 2021 season.
NFL players have until 4 p.m. ET next Friday, July 2 to inform their team if they’re opting out of the 2021 season, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. Players deemed “higher risk” for COVID are again entitled to a $350,000 stipend but voluntary opt-outs will not be compensated, Pelissero added. The stipend for voluntary opt-outs was $150,000 last season.
Players who choose to opt-out will not receive the stipend they did last year unless they fall into the “high-risk” category. Player vaccination rates for the team are not currently known, but according to a report from last week, the Jaguars are lagging behind the rest of the league.
It remains to be seen exactly how much COVID-19 will affect the Jags this year, but it seems fair to say the number of players opting out should be minimal if any do at all.