As reported first by Jarrett Bell for USA Today, newly acquired FB Danny Vitale is opting out of the upcoming season over Coronavirus safety fears. Guard Najee Toran has also taken the option to sit out the year.
To be honest, it’s hardly a surprise that Patriots players have exercised this option, but now the concern for coaching staff will be if more players follow. I hate to speculate, but rumors are also circulating that Marcus Cannon is considering his options regarding an opt-out.
Under the agreement, players who decide to opt-out of the season will be paid a stipend salary of $150,000.
The first NFL player to opt-out was Chiefs starting RG Duvernay-Tardif who has given up around $2.6 million to sit out the season and help the fight against COVID-19 in his local community.
By no means can you blame any player that decides to sit out the season, it’s a crazy world right now and football certainly isn’t the most important thing.
But as a football fan, it will be worth keeping an eye out for any further movement on this leading up to the opt-out deadline on August 3.
