NFL players continue to push back against the idea of having in-person organized team activities this spring. Over the past week the players of the Broncos, Raiders, Patriots, Buccaneers, Seahawks and Lions had all released statements that they plan to not attend the voluntary workouts scheduled in the coming months.
The Steelers joined in that movement releasing a statement via the NFLPA Friday afternoon:
A statement from the Pittsburgh Steelers players: pic.twitter.com/aVHvka6j8C
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 16, 2021
Dale Lolley wrote about the growing number of teams releasing statements through the NFLPA to push back against in-person attendance at OTAs in this week's Friday Insider.
The Steelers' statement echoes the concerns of players from other teams who released their own statements this week. As COVID-19 and the pandemic are still a major health concern, the players' argument centers on maintaining safety and minimizing risks to players while keeping as many meetings or organized activities virtual like they were during 2020 before training camp.
Cam Heyward tweeted out an entire thread last Friday, arguing his points on the subject:
More meetings go by but still no definite answers behind the @NFL stance to make players come in for off-season workouts. I get training which we all did last year virtually but why the rush to jump to in-person meetings and workouts when
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 9, 2021
1. Less injuries occurred across the league 2. No plan to mitigate or control while WE are still in a pandemic. Work should continue to work virtually & craft as we still do not have all answers. If ALL teams can’t have the same safe guidelines why would you argue against it.
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 9, 2021
While OTAs are voluntary, players do have workout incentives built into their contracts to encourage their participation during in-person team activities. But as more teams join the NFLPA's stance against OTAs, that will bring the issue more to the forefront of NFL discussions.