The NFLPA-NFL Players Association-submitted a proposal that the NFL offseason in 2025 could have a much different look to it for its players. NFL media personality, Tom Pelissero mentioned that the NFL’s Players Association submitted a proposal to change yearly OTA’S which would shake up the timeline for the NFL offseason.
NFLPA Submits Proposal for Offseason Change
What Are OTA’s?
OTA’s- organized team activities– is an offseason session amongst players that is voluntary and consists of non-padded practices. OTA’s start typically around the middle of May and wrap up in early June. OTA’s are followed by a mandatory minicamp for three days and then players take the rest of June off before heading to training camp at the end of July.
NFLPA’s Proposal
According to Tom Pellisero, the NFLPA proposed to eliminate any OTA’s during May and June. Players would report to team facilities and begin team activities in “mid-June to early July.”
End of OTAs? The NFL Players Association is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as soon as 2025, eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up, with players reporting in mid-June to early July, per… pic.twitter.com/nQa9TmKCGO
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024
Pelissero also noted, “Basically, the idea here would be to roll an extended, OTA-style ramp-up — strength and conditioning, non-padded work, etc. — straight into training camp without a six-week break/de-escalation in between. A major change,”
Basically, the idea here would be to roll an extended, OTA-style ramp-up — strength and conditioning, non-padded work, etc. — straight into training camp without a six-week break/de-escalation in between. A major change. https://t.co/gVgVDiYmGj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024
NFL Players Want the Change
Under new leadership, the NFLPA has consulted medical and performance experts in hopes of creating a common-sense solution for reducing injuries and maximizing players’ recovery time. Virtual classroom work would still be permitted in the spring. But no practice until camp.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024
It might be in question why the players union might want these offseason schedule changes and what it comes down to is the safety. With players reporting to team activities in the end of spring and early summer, players view it more reasonable to report to team facilities at a later date for a reason Pellisero stated, “Under new leadership, the NFLPA has consulted medical and performance experts in hopes of creating a common-sense solution for reducing injuries and maximizing players’ recovery time,” Pelissero noted. “Virtual classroom work would still be permitted in the spring. But no practice until camp.”
The question that remains is if the NFL will be in favor of this proposal or if they would prefer to keep the offseason schedule as is. This might not be the only possible change either regarding the offseason schedule or even the in-season schedule for that matter.
Could the NFLPA Proposal be the Start of the 2 Game Preseason?
The NFL and commissioner, Roger Goodell, stated they would be in favor of eliminating another preseason game. Goodell said earlier in April that, “I’m not a fan of the preseason, and I’d replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day,”
"I think we're good at seventeen games right now but we're always looking at how we continue..
I'm not a fan of the preseason and I'd replace a preseason game with a regular season game any day" ~ @nflcommish #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Tv8xdjkSXJ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
With a possible switch to the players offseason workouts going from the current format to eliminating the six-week break before training camp, it could lead to the incoming two game preseason model. The way the NFL views it as is a “safer” model by eliminating another preseason game. The NFL and NFLPA have the CBA-collective bargaining agreement- in place, which could lead to multiple different bargaining discussions and changes. Another change that could be in play more so is the 18-game season schedule.
Could the NFLPA Proposal Lead to the 18 Game Format?
Aside from the preseason possibly going under a change, this could make way for the impending 18 game season for the NFL. Goodell has been on record of the desire to add another game to the current 17 game schedule saying, “We would do it in the context of reducing the number of preseason games. We think that’s a good trade: Less preseason games and more regular-season games. I think most anybody would think that was beneficial.” The NFL is all about player safety which the NFLPA proposal regarding a change in offseason workouts makes sense as well as eliminating a preseason game.
Goodell has also been on record stating his concerns regarding adding another game to the NFL season, “The key thing for us is looking at making sure we continue to do the things that make our game safer,” the commissioner said. “Seventeen games is a long season, so we want to make sure we look at that and make sure that we continue the safety efforts.”
With that being said, the NFL and NFLPA have work to do on coming to an agreement on player safety and what would be more beneficial for offseason workouts and in season situations for players.
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