Over 20 Players Decide To Skip The 2020 NFL Season
As part of its COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the NFL allowed its players to opt out of the 2020 season without penalties or consequences. And as expected, many took this as an opportunity to further protect themselves from the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision and its result, though expected, took a toll on the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). According to NFLPA Vice President Ben Watson, they considered all reasons behind every player’s decision and expected the majority of players to opt out of the season.
“We did know this was going to be a possibility. That is why the NFLPA fought so hard to give guys the option. We are in times people don’t have answers for. Everybody has different situations — maybe contractually, maybe who they live with, guys who live out of the area and have to travel back. There are a variety of different reasons why, and I think we are going to find out more about that as time goes on. I am always in support of the men having the agency to decide for themselves what is best for them and their families.”
The league will now host a season with reduced games, rosters, and manpower. Already, more than 20 players have decided to skip the 2020 season. The NFL will give a $150,000 stipend to players who voluntarily opted out and $350,000 for players with pre-existing medical conditions. Nevertheless, we are set to see Bitcoin sportsbooks fill up with NFL odds soon.
Voluntary Opt-Outs
Baltimore Ravens: KR De’Anthony Thomas, OL Andre Smith
Buffalo Bills: DT Star Lotulelei
Dallas Cowboys: CB Maurice Canady, WR Stephen Guidry
Green Bay Packers: WR Devin Funchess
Houston Texans: DT Eddie Vanderdoes
Kansas City Chiefs: OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
New England Patriots: LB Dont’a Hightower, FB Dan Vitale, RB Brandon Bolden, OL Najee Toran
Philadelphia Eagles: Marquise Goodwin
Seattle Seahawks: OL Chance Warmack
Tennessee Titans: OL Anthony McKinney
Higher-Risk Opt-Outs
Minnesota Vikings: DT Michael Pierce
New England Patriots: OL Marcus Cannon
Washington Football Team: DE Caleb Brantley
Unspecified Opt-Outs
Carolina Panthers: LB Jordan Mack
Chicago Bears: DT Eddie Goldman
Cleveland Browns: G Drew Forbes, T Drake Dorbeck
Denver Broncos: DT Kyle Peko
Detroit Lions: DT John Atkins
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Damien Williams
New England Patriots: S Patrick Chung
New Orleans Saints: TE Jason Vander Laan, TE Cole Wick
New York Giants: OL Nate Solder
New York Jets: OL Leo Koloamatangi
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Marquise Goodwin
