NFL reaches opt-out deal
NFL training camps are set to open after the league and the players' union reached agreement on several issues, including future salary cap mechanisms and how players can opt out of the upcoming season because of the coronavirus.
The NFL Players Association's executive committee and 32 player representatives approved the offers Friday, two people with knowledge of the decisions told The Associated Press.
Players who decide they want to opt out have until Aug. 3 to do so, and they will receive a stipend from the owners, the people said on condition of anonymity because the offer has not been made public. The amount of the stipend will be $350,000 for medical opt outs and $150,000 for voluntary opt outs.
That agreement eliminated one major obstacle to a full opening of training camps next week.
Already, the sides had agreed to cancel all preseason games, as well as to a reduction in the number of roster spots in training camp from 90 to 80 – though teams will have until Aug. 16 to get down to 80.
The league also offered an extended acclimation period of 18 days for players, given that the coronavirus caused the cancellation of all offseason on-field activities at team facilities.
Training camps are to open Tuesday, though the Texans and Chiefs, who meet in the season opener Sept. 10, have veterans scheduled to arrive this weekend for COVID-19 testing.
Many economic issues were settled, including how to handle revenue losses that would result from games played without fans or even canceled games because of COVID-19. The league has proposed a minimum salary cap of $175 million for 2021; this season's cap is $198.2 million.
Practice squads will be increased to 16 players if the league's proposal is accepted by the union.
Packers sign Deguara: The Green Bay Packers signed tight end Josiah Deguara, who was their third-round draft pick out of Cincinnati.
The Packers have now signed all nine members of their 2020 draft class.