The current scenario surrounding the 2020 NFL season remains shrouded in mystery. It is unclear as to which players will participate in the league this year. Many have already taken up the option to opt-out. Veteran NFL coach Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots have the most number of opt-outs in the buildup to the 2020 season.
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As of now, eight Patriots players have decided to skip the season for personal health concerns. Running back Brandon Bolden, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, safety Patrick Chung, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, receiver Marqise Lee, offensive lineman Najee Toran, and fullback Danny Vitale had opted out last week. Pats Tight end Matt LaCrosse was the latest addition to that list as he became the eighth player to opt-out of Belichick’s team heading into the 2020 season.
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NFL insider gives an update regarding the player opt-out situation
Only two ways an NFL player can opt out of the 2020 season after the 4 p.m. ET Thursday deadline: - New diagnosis he has a high-risk condition - Player’s family member dies, is hospitalized or otherwise moves to a medical facility because of COVID-19 or related condition
NFL insider Tom Pelissero posted the above tweet on his official handle earlier today. Pelissero mentioned the two specific criteria that players would need to fall under in order to skip the 2020 season. There were rumors doing the rounds that NFL officials were keen to push the deadline to an earlier date in order to limit the opt-outs. The deadline for players to confirm their participation is August 6, 2020.
As of Tuesday, more than 50+ players were added to the NFL reserve/COVID-19 list. Any player that tests positive or has recently been in contact with someone who has/had the virus will be added to that ever-growing list. Teams cannot disclose the names of the players that test positive for coronavirus.
Players react to NFL’s opt-out process amid growing concerns
Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Gardner Minshew were the two high-profile names to make the list. Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach – Doug Pederson – also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment for the same. Here are some statements made by NFL stars regarding the situations surrounding the upcoming season.
OBJ says the NFL should cancel the 2020 season @brgridiron
Devin McCourty: "Absolute joke that the nfl is changing the opt out period because they don’t want to see guys opt out ... . I think it's terrible, I think it's BS." Patriots safety angered by NFL advancing notion some players are using the opt-out clause in bad faith.
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