NFL Players Have Until July 2 To Opt Out Of 2021 Season

Last season, 67 NFL players determined that safety was paramount and used the option to sit out the 2020 NFL season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This year is a different story, as many teams around the NFL are allowing fans back into stadiums, and the threat of the pandemic seems to have slowed down in the United States.

Players do have the option to sit out this upcoming 2021 campaign, and reports say that they have until 4pm on Friday, July 2nd to make that decision.

Players who are deemed high risk for COVID are entitled to a $350,000 stipend, which is the same amount that they saw in 2020.

However, players will not receive the $150,000 stipend that they received last year.

NFL Networks Tom Pelissero reports that a memo sent out Wednesday announces an agreement between the NFLPA and the players that will create more benefits for vaccinated players.

All decisions made by players are final.

Last season the list of players that opted out include Shon Coleman, OT, San Francisco 49ers, Josh Doctson, WR, New York Jets, Malcolm Pridgeon, G, Cleveland Browns, Rashaan Melvin, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars, Brad Seaton, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Albert Wilson, WR, Miami Dolphins.