NATIONWIDE - All players are due to report to NFL training camps on Tuesday, but some players around the league have opted out because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the NFL, the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, players have the choice to opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Players have until Aug. 6 to notify their teams if they wish to opt out.
The league has two specified classifications for opting out: Under a "voluntary" opt-out, players will receive a $150,000 stipend and their contract will toll until the following season; A player designated a "higher risk" opt-out, which requires a player to have a diagnosis reflected in their medical record for a condition such as asthma, sickle cell disease and others, will receive a $350,000 stipend, as well as "an accrued season toward free agency and all benefits and minimum salary credit for a credited season."
According to the NFL, here is the list of the players who have opted out of the 2020 NFL season:
LAURENT DUVERNAY-TARDIF, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to publicly announce he was opting out of the 2020 NFL season when he posted his decision on social media on Friday, July 24.
Duvernay-Tardif, the only active NFL player with a medical doctorate, said his experience working in a long-term care facility in Canada during the offseason informed his decision to skip the season.
ALLEN HURNS, MIAMI DOLPHINS
Hurns, one of the top wideouts in the league, announced Tuesday that he will be opting out of the 2020 NFL season.
DONT’A HIGHTOWER, PATRICK CHUNG, BRANDON BOLDEN, MARCUS CANNON, DANNY VITALE AND NAJEE TORAN, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The New England Patriots will be without multiple players this season, including Chung, Cannon and Hightower, who have each won three Super Bowls with the team. Hightower, 30, a key player for the New England squad, became a first-time father on July 16 and is entering the final year of his contract, which will reportedly roll over to the 2021 season.
NATE SOLDER, NEW YORK GIANTS
Veteran offensive lineman Nate Solder announced on Wednesday that he will be opting out of the 2020 NFL season. Solder, who was diagnosed with cancer ahead of the 2014 NFL season, cited his son's battle with cancer and concern for his family's health in his decision to opt out.
"With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep our priorities in order and, for us, our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football," Solder said in a statement. "We fully recognize that being able to make a decision like this is a privilege.”
The 2x Super Bowl champion with the Patriots signed with the New York Giants in 2018 after 7 seasons in New England.
CALEB BRANTLEY, WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
According to the NFL Transaction Wire, Caleb Brantley is the first player to take the “higher risk” opt-out option. Other higher risk opt-outs, according to the league, include Michael Pierce from the Minnesota Vikings and Marcus Cannon from the New England Patriots.
DE’ANTHONY THOMAS, ANDRE SMITH, BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Baltimore Ravens announced on Monday that punt / kickoff returner De’Anthony Thomas “has been placed on the reserve / voluntary opt-out list” and will not play in the 2020 NFL season. The NFL listed Thomas’ teammate Andre Smith, an offensive lineman, as a “voluntary opt-out” as well.
MAURICE CANADY, STEPHEN GUIDRY, DALLAS COWBOYS
Cornerback Maurice Canady is expected to take a voluntary opt-out from the 2020 NFL season, according to the Dallas Cowboys. Canady shared the message, “Family first money second #staysafe,” on Twitter on Monday.
Cowboys wide receiver Stephen Guidry is also opting out, according to the NFL.
OTHER NFL PLAYERS OPTING OUT
- Star Lotulelei, Buffalo Bills
- Jordan Mack, Carolina Panthers
- Christian Miller, Carolina Panthers
- Eddie Goldman, Chicago Bears
- Jordan Lucas, Chicago Bears
- Josh Tupou, Cincinnati Bengals
- Isaiah Prince, Cincinnati Bengals
- Drew Forbes, Cleveland Browns
- Drake Dorbeck, Cleveland Browns
- Andrew Billings, Cleveland Browns
- Jamize Olawale, Dallas Cowboys
- Kyle Peko, Denver Broncos
- Ja'Wuan James, Denver Broncos
- John Atkins, Detroit Lions
- Geronimo Allison, Detroit Lions
- Devin Funchess, Green Bay Packers
- Eddie Vanderdoes, Houston Texas
- Skai Moore, Indianapolis Colts
- Al Woods, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Lerentee McCray, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Damien Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
- D.J. Killings, Las Vegas Raiders
- Jeremiah Valoaga, Las Vegas Raiders
- Chandler Brewer, Los Angeles Rams
- Michael Pierce, Minnesota Vikings
- Cole Wick, New Orleans Saints
- Jason Vander Laan, New Orleans Saints
- Da'Mari Scott, New York Giants
- C.J. Mosley, New York Jets
- Leo Koloamatangi, New York Jets
- Marquise Goodwin, Philadelphia Eagles
- Chance Warmack, Seattle Seahawks
- Anthony McKinney, Tennessee Titans
- Josh Harvey-Clemons, Washington Football Team