The Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns players joined players from a number of other NFL teams on Thursday to say that they will not be showing up at the team’s facilities next week to begin voluntary off-season training.
“Players remain unclear about [COVID-19] protocols and protections and rules remain inconsistent despite last-minute NFL communication [on Wednesday]”The Bears players said in a statement released by the NFLPA.” For these reasons, most of our locker rooms choose to exercise our right and not participate in voluntary in-person training to remain as safe as possible. “
A statement from the Browns said they “felt both mentally and physically healthier” after having a virtual off-season in 2020. They attributed this to “sufficient recovery time and lack of additional wear and tear on our body in the spring months.
“… We are professionals who train all year round, wherever we spend out of season. As we demonstrated last year, we will be ready to compete this coming season.”
The Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced plans to skip training on Tuesday, while the Detroit Lions and “some of us” from the New England Patriots joined in Wednesday to make the decision.
The off-season programs are scheduled to begin on April 19 at the league level, when the daily tests for players and staff will begin, according to a note sent to the teams on March 31. Players who currently use the weight room at team facilities or are treated by the medical club staff must be tested at least once every two days. Teams can test more if they want, but this is the minimum requirement.
On Wednesday, the Lions players, in a statement released by the NFLPA, said that “it is in everyone’s interest to play safe again this season,” after “no acceptable resolution of our union’s negotiations with the NFL on comprehensive COVID-19 protocols.” “