Tag: Opt-Out

NFL’s 2020 opt-out deadline will be this Thursday afternoon

NFL’s 2020 opt-out deadline will be this Thursday afternoon

Over the course of the past week or so, NFL players have made the difficult decision to opt-out of the 2020 season. Ultimately, the only person who can make that decision is each player in question — there are various concerns about a return to play that some may feel more comfortable avoiding taking on head on this season. For some, family matters were a heavy decision. Individual health risks was another variable that impacted more than one player’s decision to sit out.

But it won’t be long before all of these decisions must be made. The NFL’s deadline for player opt-outs has been revealed — and it is just two days. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported yesterday afternoon that the deadline for players to decide to sit out the coming season will be this Thursday at 4PM EST. The expected result is that you’ll see a final wave of opt-outs over the next two days.

For the Dolphins specifically, their next opt-out will be their first — the Dolphins have not endured any unexpected personnel losses for the 2020 season to date. There’s still time for that to change, but the dynamics of Miami’s roster indicate that the team is less likely to have heavy opt-outs than some of the other teams across the league. The Dolphins are currently the youngest team in football. The team is hungry and eager to prove themselves, too — so without any health risks to prompt players to think twice about the coming season, Miami way reach the deadline without losing a single player to opt-outs.

If Miami does incur losses, the team will take them in stride. The Dolphins are well versed in the “next man up” mentality on the gridiron after a trying season in 2019 that saw backups thrust into starting roles after trades and injuries took their toll throughout the heart of the season. The Dolphins have much more depth than a year ago, so if it comes down to backups becoming starters, Miami will take it in stride, mainly because they won’t have a choice.

But the players are running out of time to make the decision for themselves to sit out this season in the name of safety.

Former Chiefs DB Jordan Lucas opts out of 2020 NFL season

The Lucas Locomotive is off the tracks for the 2020 season.

A member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning squad that is no longer with the team has opted out of the 2020 NFL season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Chiefs DB Jordan Lucas has elected to opt out, the Chicago Bears announced on Monday. Lucas left Kansas City during the 2020’s free agency period to join the Bears, where he was expected to have a legitimate chance to compete for a starting role. Dave Toub’s son, Shane, is part of the Chicago staff and likely played a part in the special teams ace signing a one-year deal worth up to $1 million.

The Chiefs originally acquired Lucas in a trade with the Dolphins ahead of the 2018 NFL season. In his two seasons in Kansas Cty, Lucas appeared in 30 games and started four. He recorded 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one interception and two passes defended in 2018. Over the course of his career in Kansas City, he played a combined 485 snaps on special teams, mostly at the gunner position.

This had to be a tough choice for Lucas as he really had a shot to prove himself worthy of a starting job in a weak safety group. Now, he’ll have to wait for another opportunity in 2021.

[vertical-gallery id=73825]

Guard Chance Warmack only Seahawk to opt out of season so far

Guard Chance Warmack is the only Seattle Seahawk to officially opt out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns so far.

The Seattle Seahawks have been fairly lucky though the first week of training camp, with only one player officially opting out of the season due to coronavirus concerns. Guard Chance Warmack, who Seattle signed as a free agent just this spring, will sit the season out.

Players who are high-risk opt-outs will receive a $350,000 stipend and voluntarily opt-outs will net $150,000 as a salary advance on their existing contracts.

Per the USA TODAY’s tracker, here are the players from each team around the league known to have opted out of the season so far.

Baltimore Ravens

OT Andre Smith, WR/KR De’Anthony Thomas

Buffalo Bills

CB E.J. Gaines, DT Star Lotulelei

Carolina Panthers

LB Jordan Mack

Chicago Bears

DT Eddie Goldman

Cincinnati Bengals

OT Isaiah Prince, DT Josh Tupou

Cleveland Browns

OT Drake Dorbeck, OT Drew Forbes

Dallas Cowboys

CB Maurice Canady, WR Stephen Guidry, FB Jamize Olawale

Denver Broncos

DT Kyle Peko

Detroit Lions

WR Geronimo Allison, DT John Atkins

Green Bay Packers

WR Devin Funchess

Houston Texans

DT Eddie Vanderdoes

Los Angeles Rams

G Chandler Brewer

Jacksonville Jaguars

DE Lerentee McCray, DT Al Woods

Kansas City Chiefs

G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, RB Damien Williams

Minnesota Vikings

DT Michael Pierce

New England Patriots

RB Brandon Bolden, OT Marcus Cannon, S Patrick Chung, LB Dont’a Hightower, TE Matt LaCosse, WR Marqise Lee, G Najee Toran, FB Danny Vitale

New Orleans Saints

TE Jason Vander Laan, TE Cole Wick

New York Giants

OT Nate Solder, WR Da’Mari Scott

New York Jets

C Leo Koloamatangi, LB C.J. Mosley

Philadelphia Eagles

WR Marquise Goodwin

Seattle Seahawks

G Chance Warmack

Tennessee Titans

OT Anthony McKinney

Washington Football Team

DE Caleb Brantley

[lawrence-related id=65859]

Cowboys FB Jamize Olawale opts-out of 2020 NFL season

FB Jamize Olawale becomes third Cowboys player to opt-out of 2020 NFL season.

The Dallas Cowboys, like every other NFL team, is trying their best to work their way through the Covid-19 pandemic in attempts to get the football season underway. The league gave players an opportunity to opt out, tolling their contracts until next season and instead receiving a stipend loan from their would-be 2021 base salaries.

Now, a third Cowboys player, FB Jamize Olawale has opted out of the upcoming season. He joins CB Maurice Canday and WR Stephen Guidry as Dallas players who’ve chosen to sit out the season.

A veteran of eight NFL seasons, the 31-year-old Olawale has spent each of the last two years with the Cowboys. Despite having a minimal role within the offense, Olawale recently had his 2020 option picked up, represented a key special teamer with upside for Mike McCarthy and John Fassel. How the team addresses his departure remains to be seen.

Dallas has a trio of undrafted runners on the depth chart behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Among the options is 6-3 and 240 pound Sewo Olonilua, who’s path to make the roster suddenly becomes a lot clearer. A four-year player out of TCU, Olonilua rumbled for 537 yards and eight rushing touchdowns last season, and also chipped in 114 receiving yards and one touchdown on 24 receptions.

The Cowboys could also transition Portland State’s Charlie Taumoepeau to the H-back role he seems destined for and is inline with head coach Mike McCarthy’s offensive philosophy.

The deadline for players for opt-out of the 2020 season is August 3rd. Keep track of the latest developments for the Cowboys and around the league here.

[vertical-gallery id=650773][lawrence-newsletter]

Bill O’Brien says Texans respect DT Eddie Vanderdoes’ opt-out decision

Houston Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien says he and the staff respect DT Eddie Vanderdoes’ decision to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.

The Houston Texans took a ding to their defensive line depth when defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes decided to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season.

Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien told reporters Friday that he had a personal conversation with the former Oakland Raiders 2017 third-round pick, who was “very respectful.”

“He called and we talked about it,” O’Brien said. “He does have a pre-existing condition and he’s also had family members that have dealt with it over the last six months. He’s making a decision in the best interest of his family and we respect that decision.”

The Texans claimed former 2019 undrafted free agent Albert Huggins off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles to take Vanderdoes’ place. Huggins previously was with the Texans in the 2019 offseason and was a member of the club’s practice squad.

O’Brien says when he has conversations with players about opting out, he gives them a listening ear; he doesn’t have a “specific end in mind.”

Said O’Brien: “The players have just entered the building, so you don’t start with the end in mind in any conversation. You just listen. You got to be a great listener. You have to be a great listener. Players are going through it. Staff are going through it. Everybody’s going through it, so we just have to, as a staff, be great listeners. Yes, I’ve tried to lend my ear to all the players and as best I can, be there for them and our staff as we walk through the first, let’s call it couple weeks of doing this full speed, to be available for any trepidations or hesitations somebody might have. We’ve tried to be there for everybody – players, staff, coach – anybody.”

Players have until Aug. 3 to opt-out of the season. The Texans do not currently have any players listed on the COVID-19 reserve.

[vertical-gallery id=52256]

Cowboys rookie WR Stephen Guidry opts out, won’t get financial stipend

The Cowboys have an additional player opt out from the season.

The NFL began intakes of veteran players on Tuesday, as they look to press forward in hopes there will be a 2020 season. Rookies and quarterbacks reported to team facilities last week, with the Dallas Cowboys welcoming Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, their seven draft selections and multiple UDFAs to The Star in Frisco. The rest of the veterans are scheduled to report Tuesday to begin the series of Covid-19 tests. Each player has to test negatively three times in order to enter the facility to begin offseason work.

Thus far, the team has had one player, second-year wideout Jon’vea Johnson test positive, and he was placed on the special Covid-19-reserve list. Yesterday, free agent signing Maurice Canady was the first veteran to take advantage of the voluntary opt-out process to protect his and his family’s safety and on Tuesday a second name emerged, UDFA and Mississippi State WR Stephen Guidry.

Both players had an uphill climb to make this year’s roster, with Guidry’s task having more to do with outshining other UDFA rookies in Aaron Parker and Kendrick Rogers, as well as a litany of young veterans competing for what would likely be practice squad roles.

Opt-out players who have time in the league or were drafted are eligible for a $150,000 stipend, but as an UDFA it appears Guidry cannot collect on that money. His contract does toll to the 2021 season, so he will then be eligible to compete for a roster spot next season.

Guidry signed for a $10,000 signing bonus and received $100,000 in guaranteed 2020 base salary, which will now be his 2021 guarantee.

[vertical-gallery id=650773][lawrence-newsletter]

AFC North COVID-19 opt-out and reserve list tracker

AFC North COVID-19 opt-out and reserve list tracker for the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers

One of the concessions to the COVID-19 pandemic from the NFL and the NFLPA is the ability for players to choose to opt-out from playing in the 2020 season.

Under the agreement reached between the NFL and the NFLPA, players have until August 3rd to choose to opt-out of the year ahead. Players deemed to be in the “high-risk” category will earn $350,000 for the upcoming season, and those not placed in that category will earn $150,000 for the year ahead.

[lawrence-related id=50052]

In addition to the opt-out option, the league also created a special reserve list for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined due to close contact with someone who is infected. Placement on the reserve list does not indicate if the player himself tested positive.

Kansas City Chiefs starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a trained medical professional off the field, was the first player to opt-out. Here’s who has opted out from playing across the AFC North, as well as the players listed on each team’s COVID-19 reserve list.

Baltimore Ravens

Opt-out

OT Andre Smith

WR De’Anthony Thomas

COVID-19 reserve list

S Nigel Warrior

Cincinnati Bengals

Opt-out

COVID-19 reserve list

DE Kendall Futrell

Cleveland Browns

Opt-out

COVID-19 reserve list

RB Dontrell Hilliard

S Jovante Moffatt

Pittsburgh Steelers

Opt-out

COVID-19 reserve list

CB Arrion Springs

Report: Texans DT Eddie Vanderdoes to opt out of 2020 season

Houston Texans defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes plans to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houston Texans defensive end Eddie Vanderdoes plans to opt out of the 2020 season.

According to a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 6-3, 315-pound defensive lineman will not be a part of the 2020 NFL season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vanderdoes played in three games for the Texans last season, collecting eight tackles.

The Raiders drafted Vanderdoes in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft from UCLA. Vanderdoes played 16 games for the Raiders his rookie year, tallying 18 tackles. However, a torn ACL in Week 17 ended up disrupting his 2018 season, and he never made it off the physically unable to perform list. The Raiders released Vanderdoes at the end of the 2019 preseason.

[vertical-gallery id=52192]

Seahawks guard Chance Warmack opts out of 2020 season

Seahawks guard Chance Warmack’s comeback will be delayed for another year as he will opt out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns.

Newly-signed Seattle Seahawks guard Chance Warmack, who had hoped to make a comeback in 2020 after sitting out the 2019 season, will wait one more year before taking a snap in training camp.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network announced on Monday that Warmack would be opting out of the 2020 season amid concerns about the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Warmack’s contract, a one-year deal worth $1,047,500, will roll over to 2021. He will receive a stipend of $150,000, as dictated by the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.

With this announcement, Warmack becomes the third NFL player who has opted out before the Aug. 3 deadline, joining Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Ravens wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas.

The loss of Warmack, along with cornerback Quinton Dunbar’s placement on the Commissioner Exempt List, means that the Seahawks suddenly have a roster spot to fill in order to reach this year’s training camp maximum of 80.

[lawrence-related id=65636]

News: Dak’s no-deal fallout, Aldon Smith’s hand workout, NFLPA talking opt-out

In addition to dissecting Prescott’s no-deal, we check names to know in training camp and a high school visit by Ezekiel Elliott.

So… anything happening in Cowboys Nation?

In this edition of News and Notes, get up to speed on what went down between the Joneses and Dak Prescott as Wednesday’s deadline came and went. Of particular interest: reports of a last-minute Hail Mary attempt, social media reactions from fans (including Prescott’s own blood), winners and losers, and the chances of Prescott staying with the organization beyond 2020.

In non-Dak developments, an update regarding players who may be considering opting out of the COVID-19 season, Aldon Smith’s impressive handwork, names to know as training camp nears, and Ezekiel Elliott going back to high school. Here’s what Cowboys fans need to know today.

Dak deadline passes: Cowboys’ Prescott to play 2020 under tag :: Cowboys Wire

The biggest news of the day was the thing that didn’t happen. Now any long-term contract discussions between Prescott and the front office are on hold until the 2020 season is over.

Report: Cowboys tried at ‘last minute’ to do long-term Prescott deal :: Cowboys Wire

NFL Network’s Jane Slater revealed shortly after Wednesday’s deadline that there was an eleventh-hour conversation between the two sides.

Twitter reactions: Prescott’s brother doesn’t know how much longer he’ll root for Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire

Opinions flooded the Twittersphere upon news of the contract impasse, with Dak’s older brother offering one of the more notable takes regarding the team’s loyalty to his star sibling.

Cowboys don’t have cap space to tag Prescott again in 2021 :: Cowboys Wire

K.D. Drummond breaks down the Cowboys’ cap situation for next season. Contrary to what many are saying, tagging Dak Prescott again may not be in the cards after all.

No deal for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys: Picking winners, losers, and dominoes :: ESPN

Among those Bill Barnwell thinks have to be pleased with Wednesday’s signing snafu: the Colts, Patriots, Jaguars, and the rest of the NFC East. Losers? Deshaun Watson, Cam Newton, and us. (Dak Prescott himself makes both lists.)

Ranking tagged players based on who’s most likely to stay put in ’21 :: NFL.com

Guess who’s number one? “The most tiresome debate in sports television just got renewed for another season!” says Around the NFL editor Gregg Rosenthal about the Prescott/Cowboys soap opera.

NFLPA makes key demands for opt-out, guarantee stipends :: Cowboys Wire

With training camps set to begin in a couple weeks, the NFLPA makes specific demands of the NFL for the 2020 season.

Aldon Smith is working on his hands in this training video :: Blogging The Boys

Aldon Smith is looking to make a monster comeback after a five-year absence, and he showed off his hand workouts in a recent training video.

Film room: 3 Cowboys you shouldn’t forget about heading into camp, including a young safety with upside :: Dallas Morning News

John Owning talks about how Donovan Wilson, C.J. Goodwin, and Ventell Bryant may be names to remember as training camp draws near.

[vertical-gallery id=650630]

[vertical-gallery id=650562]

[vertical-gallery id=649716]

[lawrence-newsletter]