The first week of Cleveland Browns post-draft organized team activities, or OTAs, took place virtually. No players attended the team facilities in Berea at the behest of the NFLPA, which has recommended that players not participate due to long-term injury concerns.
It’s a tricky issue for both the players and the team. Cleveland could have as many as nine new starters on defense, with a mix of free agent veterans and rookies who haven’t even met yet. But the union’s advice keeps them from working out together under the watchful eye of the team. Even though it would be heavily restricted in terms of contact and activity level, it’s still done together and with coaches and trainers present.
The situation takes extra imperative with the Browns because center JC Tretter is the NFLPA president and one of the most outspoken advocates for veterans not participating in the OTAs. But the Browns players are still getting work in and some are doing it together on their own.
Witness a tidbit from Albert Breer’s latest edition of the Monday Morning Quarterback at Sports Illustrated,
The Browns’ players were working toward a deal with their coaches over the weekend after staying away—and part of the reason they were O.K. with being absent until now is that quarterback Baker Mayfield had held a passing camp in Austin already.
Many groups of players around the league are convening to work out together this offseason. And it is nice to see the Browns players and the team are trying to work out a deal to possibly get the full team together before training camp begins in late July.