Players from the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not formally report to their respective team facilities next week to begin voluntary offseason workouts, the teams said in statements released by the NFL Players Association on Tuesday.
In their statement, the Broncos players cited rising COVID-19 positivity rates in Denver and surrounding communities, as well as the lack of “adequate protocols in place.” Sources told ESPN that the players voted to take this action and notified coach Vic Fangio earlier Tuesday morning that the vote had taken place.
The Seahawks players issued a similar statement in which they noted, “The NFLPA has provided us with thorough research and information regarding our safety as players as we enter voluntary workouts this year, especially the benefits on our health and safety from a virtual off-season last year. After considering all the facts, we as a team have decided to make a decision that is uncomfortable but necessary.”
The Super Bowl-champion Bucs said they “held each other accountable to do the work it took to win” during last year’s virtual offseason and “we plan to do that again.”
Offseason programs are scheduled to begin April 19 leaguewide, at which point daily testing for players and staff will commence, according to a memo sent to teams on March 31. Players who are currently using the weight room at team facilities or being treated by club medical staff have to be tested, at minimum, every other day. Teams can test more if they wish, but that is the minimum requirement.