Tag: NFL opt outs

NFL opt-out deadline for 2021 season set for players

Players have a week to decide if they want to opt out of the regular season.

Chargers players have until July 2 to decide if they want to opt out of the 2021 regular season.

Players must inform their clubs of their intentions to opt out by 1 p.m. PT next Friday, but individuals deemed “high-risk” to COVID-19 will once again be given a $350,000 stipend, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Voluntary opt outs by individuals not considered “high-risk” will not receive the stipend. This is only available to players who signed their contracts before Oct. 1, 2020, which means that rookies are ineligible.

A rookie considered “high-risk” could still opt out, but the team that drafted them would retain their rights.

Last year, Los Angeles didn’t have any of their players opt out.

Falcons currently have zero players opting out as deadline approaches

The league has given players until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday to opt out of the season. Fortunately for Falcons fans, zero Atlanta players have yet opted out.

Due to reduced stadium crowds, a cancelled preseason and players opting out as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 NFL season is going to be unlike anything we’ve seen in the past.

The league has given players until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday to opt out of the season. Fortunately for Falcons fans, zero Atlanta players have opted out as of yet.

The players still have over four hours to change their mind before today’s deadline, however, it looks like the Falcons will be opening the season with the majority of their team intact.

Atlanta still has two players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but that’s a good sign considering six players were listed less than a week ago. Stay tuned to see if any Falcons players opt out before 4:00 pm ET.

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NFC North COVID-19 opt out and reserve list tracker

Here’s an ongoing tracker of all of the opt outs and reserve/COVID-19 transactions for the Bears and the rest of the NFC North.

As training camps have gotten underway, the NFL established a new reserve/COVID-19 list status for players that have either tested positive for COVID-19 or has been quarantine having been exposed to someone infected with the virus.

Teams are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status, so just because players have been placed on the list doesn’t mean they’ve tested positive for COVID-19.

As far as returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list, there’s no specified time frame for a return, according to NFL Network’s  Tom Pelissero, “only the minimum time it takes to pass NFL-NFLPA testing and treatment protocols. If you have close contact with an asymptomatic person(s) and test negative, return can be quick.”

We’ve compiled an ongoing tracker of all of the opt outs and reserve/COVID-19 transactions for the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFC North:

Chicago Bears

Opt outs

Reserve/COVID-19 list

Detroit Lions

Opt outs

  • NT John Atkins

Reserve/COVID-19 list

  • WR Kenny Golladay
  • TE T.J. Hockenson
  • P Arryn Siposs
  • CB Amani Oruwariye
  • S Jalen Elliott
  • CB Justin Coleman
  • TE Isaac Nauta

Green Bay Packers

Opt outs

  • WR Devin Funchess

Reserve/COVID-19 list

  • LB Greg Roberts
  • TE Jace Sternberger
  • PK Mason Crosby
  • DT Treyvon Hester

Minnesota Vikings

Opt outs

  • DT Michael Pierce

Reserve/COVID-19 list

  • OT Blake Brandel
  • OG Tyler Higby
  • S Brian Cole II
  • WR Justin Jefferson
  • LB Cameron Smith
  • DE Ifeanyi Odenigbo
  • OT Oli Udoh
  • LB Anthony Barr

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