Rams, Dolphins, Jets, Chargers, Steelers & Falcons Latest Teams To Announce They’re Skipping OTAs

The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons are the latest teams to have players announce through the NFLPA they won’t attend OTAs. 

A statement from the Pittsburgh Steelers players: pic.twitter.com/aVHvka6j8C

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 16, 2021

A statement from the Atlanta Falcons players: pic.twitter.com/aQzuWhKppH

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 16, 2021

A statement from the Los Angeles Chargers players: pic.twitter.com/cxZ0OG6avk

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 16, 2021

A statement from the New York Jets players: pic.twitter.com/W7KpjKajpt

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 16, 2021

A statement from the Miami Dolphins players: pic.twitter.com/bCdWTek6c5

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 16, 2021

A statement from the Los Angeles Rams players: pic.twitter.com/5fhqk0H1eV

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 17, 2021

The full list includes:

1. Broncos
2. Buccaneers
3. Lions
4. Seahawks
5. Patriots
6. Bears
7. Browns
8. Giants
9. Raiders
10. Steelers
11. Falcons
12. Chargers
13. Jets
14. Dolphins
15. Rams

Other teams will likely join this group in the coming days. 

The NFL and NFLPA have been negotiating for what OTAs will look like this offseason. Last year, everything was virtual due to the pandemic and the NFLPA has been pushing for that to remain the case in 2021, citing lower injury rates last season. 

However, with the vaccine becoming more readily available and cases falling in many parts of the country, the NFL had been showing indications it wanted to go back to having at least some portion of in-person and on-field work for OTAs, set to start later this month. 

NFLPA president J.C. Tretter called last week for players to boycott OTAs in response. 

OTAs are not mandatory but some players have workout bonuses and other contract details that hinge on attendance at OTAs. 

It remains to be seen if other players or teams will follow suit. 

We’ll have more on OTAs as the news is available.