NFL Notes: 2020 Season, Opt-Out Clause, Supplemental Draft

2020 Season

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL and NFLPA still have not reached an agreement on some key issues for the pending 2020 season. 
• The NFL’s latest proposal still included two preseason games, which the NFLPA is adamantly against. The players association also wants a higher testing frequency and injury protection for players who contract COVID-19. 
• Right now, the virus is classified as a non-football injury, which has major implications for salary and pensions for players. (Jenna Laine)

Opt-Out Clause

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, citing sources involved in the situation, reports that the NFLPA is requesting several opt-out clauses for players this season if they decide against playing, including:

• At-risk players to receive their salary but not bonuses.
• Players with at-risk families earn an accrued season and benefits.
• Players who leave the team after initially reporting.
• A $250,000 stipend guaranteed to all players should training camp be shut down due to the global pandemic, which would rise to $500,000 if a shutdown occurs during the season.

Another source told Fowler that the NFL’s main priority is to play a full 16-games. 

“Get the 16 games on TV,” the source said. “That’s the main goal.”

According to Fowler, the players want to be tested every day and have no preseason games, while the league would rather test less frequently and provide the two preseason games.

Fowler adds that players would like a “lengthy acclimation period” before having full practices in order to avoid injuries and adjust to their new working environment.