NFL Players Opting Out Of 2020 Season With Coronavirus Concerns

By Bill Speros Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EDT

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The deadline for NFL players to opt out of playing in the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns came and went Thursday at 4 p.m. ET with far fewer choosing to skip the season than many had predicted or feared. A total 67 players had opted out as of the deadline. Other names may be added if they notified their teams by the set deadline.

Healthy veteran players who choose not to play receive $150,000 advanced against their 2020 base salary. Any players choosing this route are not eligible for any further bonuses. They also will not be credited with an accrued or credited season toward free agency. Undrafted rookies who opt out will receive no pay.

Players who opt out are slotted into the "medically higher-risk" category if they have any of the 15 medical concerns agreed to by the NFL and NFLPA. Those conditions includes cancer, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and a compromised immune system. Those players will get a $350,000 stipend. That payment is not considered an advance against his 2020 salary. These higher-risk players, however, will receive credit for an accrued season toward free agency and a credited season good towards benefits.

Among those players in the later group was Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Brad Seaton, who became the only player on Tom Brady's new team to opt out this season. Seaton has one of the pre-existing conditions outlined in the deal between the NFL and its players.

Here is a list of players who have chosen to opt out as of the 4 p.m. deadline on Thursday.

* - Higher-Risk Opt Out

Sources: Teams, CBS Sports, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero - NFL Network

The New England Patriots lead the league with at eight who have opted out. The Cleveland Browns had five players choose not to play this season.

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About the Author

Bill Speros

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Bill Speros is an award-winning journalist and editor whose career includes stops at USA Today Sports Network / Golfweek, Cox Media, ESPN, Orlando Sentinel and Denver Post.