ENGLEWOOD, Colorado. – Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks players will not formally show up at their respective teams’ facilities next week to begin off-season volunteer training, the two teams said in statements released Tuesday by the Association of NFL players.
In his statement, the Broncos players cited the increase in COVID-19 positivity rates in Denver and surrounding communities, as well as the lack of “proper protocols in place.” Sources told ESPN that the players voted to do so and communicated to coach Vic Fangio on Tuesday morning before the vote was held.
The Seahawks players issued a similar statement in which they noted, “The NFLPA has provided us with thorough research and information about our safety as players as we enter voluntary drills this year, especially the health and safety benefits of the low season. “After considering all the facts, as a team, we decided to make an awkward but necessary decision.”
There has been no formal agreement announced between the NFLPA and the NFL on how low-season programs will be conducted in terms of COVID-19 player testing. Low season programs would begin on April 19 across the league.
The Seahawks ’decision not to participate in voluntary training will not be as financially costly as it would be for team players, such as the Green Bay Packers, who included off-season training vouchers in their contracts. These bonuses are related to participation in off-season workouts. The Seahawks don’t include them in their contracts, though Quanre Diggs safety has a $ 100,000 training bonus. The Seahawks acquired Diggs and his contract in a 2019 trade with the Detroit Lions. He is the only Seahawks player whose contract includes a training bonus, according to the roster management system.
“With low-season programs starting in less than a week and without proper protocols so players can return safely, we will exercise our right not to participate in off-season voluntary training,” he read in part. the statement of the Broncos players. “COVID-19 continues to be a serious threat to our families and our communities, and it doesn’t make sense for us, as players, to put ourselves at risk during this dead period. We know that players have become infected in the club ‘s facilities in recent weeks. Despite having a completely virtual season last year, the quality of the game across the NFL was better than ever in almost every measure. “
Kicker Brandon McManus is the representative of the Broncos players in the NFLPA and, over the past year, has been vocal about the need for consistent safety and health protocols.
In private, several Broncos players said Tuesday that one of the biggest problems they are unclear about is trying. Voluntary workouts are held Monday through Thursday, with Friday through Sunday as days off.
Many players leave the area for the weekend, including those who do not live in the Denver area during the low season. So how the players would be tested and on what days they will return to the facility for the next week of training, there are issues that some players say they want to solve.
Some Broncos players have been at the team’s facilities in recent weeks, including players recovering from off-season injuries or surgeries. Coaches, coaches and team staff have been working on the building under certain guidelines, including facials.
The Broncos organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Vaccinations are increasing in the Denver area, with all people 16 years of age or older eligible to receive the vaccine. Positivity rates released Tuesday in Arapahoe County, where the Broncos complex is located, were 5.6%.
The NFL sent a note to teams Tuesday that said Level 1 or Level 2 staff should be vaccinated to work at the team’s facilities, unless they have to abstain for religious or religious reasons. Health.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson contributed to this report.