NFL Notes: Economic Proposal, Preseason, Training Camp

July 17, 2020

Tom Pelissero reports that the economic proposal the NFL sent the NFLPA on Tuesday removed the 35 percent salary escrow provision, but would reduce each team’s player costs by $40 million in salary cap and/or benefits in 2020, which players are strongly opposed to.
Under the proposal, any revenue loss would’ve been made up in salary cap/benefit reduction in 2021, likely leading to veteran cuts and restructures over the next two years. Pelissero notes one player said: “No thanks. Not taking the COVID risk and (the) financial burden.”
Pelissero also mentions that any player may opt-out of the 2020 season with a written notice by August 1st.
Albert Breer of SI mentions NFL owners “hated” smoothing the cap from 2011-13, which prevented it from dropping in any one year. Breer says owners viewed it as giving the players an “interest-free loan” and they don’t want to do it again.

Pro Football Talk reports that while the NFL wants two 2020 preseason games and the NFLPA wants there to be none, it is “very likely” that there will be one preseason game played this year.
The goal would also be for the game to involve minimal travel, including the idea that no teams would have to fly.
Lions QB Chase Daniel later tweeted that these reports were false, citing a source from the NFLPA.

Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report that the Chiefs are telling players that training camp is happening, with rookies and quarterbacks due to report for testing on Monday. The Chiefs are the first team to have informed their rookies to report.
The duo adds that there is no agreement on several issues between the NFL and NFLPA, but the team has the right under the CBA to tell players to report to camp.
Mike Garafolo reports that the reporting players will be given physicals and be fitted for equipment. The entire team is to report on July 25th and the NFLPA has the ability to file a grievance if teams do not comply with health and safety protocols.
Ian Rapoport reports the Texans rookies were told they were to report on July 20th, as they play the Chiefs in the season opener.
Jeff Darlington reports that the NFLPA held a conference call Wednesday with a select group of about 50 high-profile players to discuss where things stand as training camp approaches. Players told Darlington that the meeting lacked “clarity” and that as of now several issues are still very much unresolved.