#NFL very restrictive on player opt-outs after Thursday deadline

Once the NFL’s deadline passes, the opt-out options for players become extremely restrictive.

Players can choose to opt out of the 2020 season by Thursday at 4 p.m. After that, any opt-out must meet two restrictions to be valid.

The player receives a new diagnosis that he suffers from one of the “higher risk” factors or the player has a family member die or become hospitalized due to COVID-19.

If a player does indeed receive a new diagnosis, he will have a week to make his decision.

Players can still refuse to play if they don’t meet those requirements, but they’d likely forfeit their 2020 stipend and a year on their contract. They could also face the possibility of having to pay back unearned signing bonus payments.

As of Tuesday, at least 50 players across the league have already opted out.