The Giants players followed the lead of several other NFL teams, announcing on Thursday that they will not participate in voluntary in-person training, citing COVID-19 concerns. The off-season training program is scheduled to begin on Monday.
So far, the Broncos, Seahawks, Patriots, Lions, Browns, Bears and Super Bowl champions Buccaneers have made public their intention to stay away from any personal training this spring.
In a statement on behalf of the NFL Players Association, the Giants said: “Our team is a strong, united brotherhood of professionals who love the game of football and work throughout the year to improve our craft. We also need to make the best decision to protect our health and safety, which is why the players on our team exercise their CBA right not to participate in voluntary in-person training. We stand in solidarity with players across the league who make informed decisions with the help of our union, both in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and what the data show about the benefits to our overall health and safety. ”
Last year, the entire NFL ran remote off-season programs.
Veterans and established players will not be hurt by this, but young players, draft picks, unskilled recruits and those on the top of the lists could be affected by the fact that they will not have the opportunity to make an impression on the team.
The NFL announced this week that the third phase of its off-season program will contain 10 voluntary field practices and a mandatory three-day minicamp, which runs from May 24 to June 18.