Although the Broncos were the first team to go along with the NFLPA’s proposed boycott of the voluntary offseason workout slate, several of their players were present for the first day of workouts Monday. Drew Lock was among the 20-plus Broncos in attendance for Phase I of the team’s offseason program, Mike Klis of 9News notes. Lock has a $75K workout bonus in his contract, joining fellow 2019 second-round pick Dalton Risner in that regard. Risner said Saturday he would attend regardless of the bonus; Denver’s other starting guard, Graham Glasgow, said he would attend as well. While many Bronco veterans are following through with the boycott, Klis notes this only applies to the onsite workouts. All were present for the virtual meetings Monday. It would certainly behoove Lock to attend, given his uncertain status. The Broncos are expected to add a quarterback; it just is not known if it will be a veteran competitor or a first-round replacement. Agents have encouraged other young players to attend workouts as well, Klis tweets.
With teams’ offseason programs beginning Monday, here is the latest from the workout front:
- While a small number of the NFL’s 4,500 players have workout bonuses (230), many on the Packers do. Green Bay’s players have not joined the NFLPA boycott, but the Packers have offered an interesting compromise to their workforce. The Packers proposed a deal that would allow players to satisfy their workout bonuses without coming to the facility to train for Phase I, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. Although various teams’ statements cite COVID-19 concerns, Florio adds that the boycott effort is more about players learning last year they do not need to spend extensive time training at team facilities in the offseason. Many veterans would prefer to train on their own before on-field work starts May 17, and Florio notes they are prepared to assume the risk of an offsite injury. The Packers’ proposal would not protect players if they suffered injuries away from the team’s facility.
- The NFL and NFLPA remain at an impasse on the offseason schedule. Part of the reason for this: a small group of owners believe the quality of play did suffer last season — particularly along offensive lines — and are holding out for offseason workouts to take place, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. The bulk of coaches, as should be expected, are in favor of onsite workouts remaining on the spring docket.
- Despite the Raiders being one of the teams to join the boycott, some of their players reported to their facility Monday, according to The Associated Press. Some members of the Cowboys, Panthers and Patriots did as well. The Pats also indicated many of their players would not attend. Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said “a lot” of players were present Monday.
- The Eagles and Vikings are the latest to announce they will not attend offseason workouts. The Vikings’ statement indicates many of their players will not attend (Twitter links); such language has been included in several teams’ statements.
If Florio writes it, chances are it’s about 80% his opinion.
I doubt that players “learned” that they didn’t need a professional showing them how to work out. They didn’t attend for other reasons, be it COVID concerns, wanting to work their own way, or a desire for time off.
I’m of the opinion that team activities create a better bonding with players and a team atmosphere. In a league where rosters change as much as they do any combined interactive programming is good.
They r professional athletes. Most of them probably have professional trainers that they pay good money to for workouts. So they r getting professional training outside the facility. I don’t and never have seen the need for off-season training on site. The whole non mandatory but mandatory crap used to make me mad. I got more out of workouts with my trainer and skill trainers then I ever did in a “organized preseason team training session”. The only argument is some will come in out of shape. But that’s those guys faults for not working to stay in the league.
How about sending vaccines to all of the NFL team doctors and get their entire staff, players and anyone connected to the team vaccinated. It is beyond dumb that they have not done this when they have doctors, they have the facilities and everyone is now eligible.