49ers wide receiver Travis Benjamin will opt out of the 2020 season. Benjamin joined the Niners on a one-year deal earlier this year, but he’ll have to wait until 2021 to make his SF debut.
[RELATED: 2020 NFL Opt Out Tracker]
“First, I would like to thank the 49ers organization for their continued support,” Benjamin wrote in a statement. “After much consideration and discussion with my family I have decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season as I feel this is the best decision for my family. I will continue to support my teammates and many friends around the league this season. As we continue to navigate this pandemic I wish that everyone stays safe.”
The defending NFC champs lost Emmanuel Sanders in free agency and picked up Benjamin to help soften the blow. Previously, Benjamin split his eight-year NFL career with the Browns and the Chargers. He missed most of the 2019 season and missed four games in 2018 – by the time he returns next year, he’ll have missed 31 games across three seasons.
The 49ers’ wide receiver group is led by Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, rookie Brandon Aiyuk, and slot receiver Trent Taylor. However, they’ll likely be without Samuel for a bit while he recovers from a foot fracture.
As of this writing, more than 55 players have opted out of the 2020 season, as shown in our tracker. Players have until 4pm ET/3pm CT today to make the call.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t players have until Thursday to make their decision?
I think you are going to see more and more athletes opt out in every sport, because they know that a championship will mean nothing this year. With the gimmicky playoffs and shortened seasons and players taking the year off, a championship is pretty much meaningless. Why take a chance for that? JMO
I don’t think a championship would be worthless. Everyone’s playing under the same conditions, and the unpredictable nature of the current climate gives any team a legitimate shot. Thus, players from all teams should be galvanized to give it their best effort
I can see both sides of the coin. If you win it all but many of the top players are not playing, we’re you really the best or just the best scrub team? Then again the playing field is level for all.
every sport? i doubt you see any if the nba has it tight lip and playing in a bubble where the risk isnt as bad , mlb maybe but maybe only a few here and a there, nhl same thing goes as i said for the NBA and only sport that been hit hard with opt outs is the NFL
mrssgyguy,not many teams is any in any sport have their “real” team. Much shorter seasons, gimmicky seasons and playoffs, rule changes etc., lead to a non meaningful season and championship. IMO
Gimmicky playoffs? Ridiculous excuse. Your team probably stinks and cant even make the “gimmicky” playoffs so thats why you try and diminish the season.
My team is the Clippers.
They have the second best record in the western conference right now, but yeah they stink and have no chance of making the playoffs.