The Miami Dolphins were among several NFL franchises to have their player availability impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 — wide receivers Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns both opted out of the 2020 season amid the uncertainty around the virus. It appears as though both players will be back with the team this season, although they will reportedly be given the opportunity to change their minds.
But they, along with the rest of the players across the league, will have to decide soon. According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL has set an opt-out deadline for the 2021 season: next Friday, July 2nd at 4 PM EST.
“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.” — NFL.com
Unlike last season, players who make the personal decision to opt out of play due to concerns about their health will not be eligible for a stipend unless they qualify as a “higher risk” individual; a variable that could potentially deter some players from being cautious this upcoming season.
For the Dolphins, it does not necessarily appear as though the opt-out deadline will have a significant impact — it has already been reported that the Dolphins are among the teams to have already surpassed the 85% threshold of vaccination among their players, putting them at or near the top of the league for vaccination rates. Nevertheless, until the deadline passes next Friday afternoon, we cannot say for certain that Miami’s roster landscape won’t be changed by the virus for a second straight year.