TODAY’S TALKER

Offseason programs begin with mixed NFL player involvement

With groups of players from 20 NFL teams — including the Falcons — saying they will skip in-person attendance, voluntary offseason programs began Monday across the league.

Through the NFL Players Association, players from the Buccaneers, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Chargers, Raiders, Broncos, Falcons, Saints, Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Giants, Eagles, Vikings, Bears and Lions said they would not be on hand at team facilities for voluntary work. Those statements did not cover every player from those clubs. On Monday, for example, some players reported to the Cowboys, Patriots, Raiders and Panthers facilities.

“We’d like to hope that we create a great environment for them,” said Cowboys executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones, but“this is not a mandatory time of the year for our players.”

Meanwhile, the league and players’ union continue talks about adjustments to the offseason. Last week, the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams saying the first four weeks of the voluntary program will be virtual. The plan is to then transition to in-person work at team facilities — something Browns center JC Tretter, the union president, has said is unnecessary.

Last year, offseason programs were all done virtually and training camp was pushed back because of the pandemic. This year, organized team activities can begin May 24. Whether players show up for workouts is uncertain. Tretter has been adamant that the 2020 approach should be continued.