The NFL and NFLPA continue to negotiate terms for a return to work and players are requesting financial backing in case they decide to sit out the season.
Among the requests in the players’ recent proposal to the league, according to a source involved:
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An opt-out clause for at-risk players to receive salary (but not bonuses) if one decides not to play.
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An opt-out clause for players with at-risk families to earn an accrued season and benefits if they decide not to play.
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An opt-out clause for players who leave the team after reporting (terms uncertain).
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A $250,000 stipend guaranteed to all players if they show up to camp and everything is shut down because of COVID-19 concerns. That amount rises to $500,000 if the season starts, only to be shut down.
The definition of “at-risk” is part of the discussion, and procedures for applying for medical opt-outs are not yet finalized.
If a player is still serving a suspension as the season gets cancelled, the remaining games unserved would not carry into the next year.
The league’s June 7 memo listed the following as considerations for high-risk individuals:
Players also want, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, no salary in escrow for 2020 and no reduction in the 2021 salary cap despite projected revenue loss, which they’d prefer to spread over multiple years. The league’s initial ask to place 35% of this year’s salaries in escrow is considered a non-starter.
A source told Graziano there are no further conversations scheduled between the NFL and NFLPA on Wednesday, after the two sides talked each of the past two days.
Several issues remain unresolved. Players want testing every day and no preseason games, while the league wants testing less frequently than the players (such as every other day) and two preseason games. Upon returning to camp, players want a lengthy acclimation period before rushing to full practices, to avoid injuries and to get comfortable in the new working environment.
Both sides must decide whether trimming the 90-man training camp rosters to avoid unnecessary contact is the right thing. And on the equipment front, the league has worked with Oakley on a protective face shield, but players are lukewarm on that.
Both sides want camp and want to play, so the goal is to get there and survive the probable initial wave of positive tests, then manage expectations from there.
“Get the 16 games on TV,” a source told ESPN. “That’s the main goal.”
If there are fans in the stands, the league standard for all 32 teams would be for fans to wear face masks. The league is hoping teams can have fan days, with social distancing inside stadiums for training camp.
But many players feel, with camp fast approaching, the NFL is far from getting there.