The NFLPA agreed Monday to conduct the offseason workout program virtually in response to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. Teams would have been able to start offseason programs this month, but with facilities closed and stay-at-home orders in place across the country, the NFL will have to call an audible and go virtual.
The same is happening with the draft, a three-day event. Now, teams must prepare, coordinate and execute a nine-week program with up to 90 players all online.
The offseason workout programs are voluntary, but the Green Bay Packers use bonuses to ensure (or incentivize) participation among veteran players. In fact, 18 players currently under contract have some kind of offseason workout bonus tied into their deal, including capable of making $500,000 or more.
Players have to participate in a certain percentage of the program to earn the full bonus. Now, players will have to do everything from a computer screen or device to get their offseason bonus.
Here’s the full list of players on the Packers roster with offseason workout bonuses:
OLB Za’Darius Smith: $750,000
OLB Preston Smith: $650,000
QB Aaron Rodgers: $500,000
WR Davante Adams: $500,000
LT David Bakhtiari: $500,000
S Adrian Amos: $500,000
C Corey Linsley: $350,000
OL Billy Turner: $350,000
DL Dean Lowry: $300,000
OL Lane Taylor: $250,000
OT Rick Wagner: $250,000
LB Christian Kirksey: $250,000
K Mason Crosby: $200,000
WR Devin Funchess: $50,000
OL Lucas Patrick: $50,000
TE Jace Sternberger: $30,000
LB Oren Burks: $25,000
DL Montravius Adams: $15,000
Altogether, the 18 players can make a maximum of $5,520,000 in bonuses during the program.
The Packers like to put a workout bonus in every veteran contract they write. Recently, the team has started putting in small workout bonuses into the contracts of third-round picks (see: Adams, Burks, Sternberger).
Teams like the Packers (without a first-year head coach) were scheduled to start the virtual offseason workout programs on April 20. The NFL said no facility will be open to a team unless all team facilities can be open this offseason.