Slow and steady players across the NFL opting out of playing the upcoming 2020 NFL season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Of note, upat least five players from the Patriots alone have opted out. The NFL and NFLPA came to a new collective bargaining agreement prior to the start of training camps this week which allow players to opt out of playing while not forfeiting a year of their contract.
The biggest name on this list of players opting out of playing due to COVID-19 is defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. He’s the first Bills player to decide to hang it up… for at least a season.
While Lotulelei may be joined by some more of his teammates in the coming days or weeks, he already joins a list of about 22 NFL players to already opt out and he joins a few former Bills players on it. As of now, two former Bills have decided not to suit up in 2020.
First, defensive tackle Kyle Peko, currently on the Broncos, has opted out. Peko, who played for the Bills from 2018-2019, captured the hearts of Bills fans when he returned to training camp to while his wife, Juliana, battled Hodgin’s Lymphoma last year. Later on Peko announced that she was cancer free.
After being cut by the Bills last season, the 27-year-old jumped from the Colts to the Broncos, who re-signed him to a two-year deal.
Along with Peko, former Bills wide receiver and draft pick in Marquise Goodwin has halted his career and won’t play next season. Goodwin, 29, was the Bills’ third-round pick in 2013, and played with the team until 2016.
While battling some injuries with the 49ers, the Eagles traded for Goodwin in April. Goodwin soon after restructured a one-year deal. Goodwin came to the decision to opt out because he and his wife, Morgane Goodwin-Snow, have a five-month old daughter and the couple previously had three miscarriages.
Because of both of their respective health concerns within their families, it especially makes sense that Peko and Goodwin will put football aside for the season. In opting out, both players cannot undo their decisions and won’t be able to join their teams until 2021 now.
Owners and players came to an agreement last weekend about player opt-outs due to coronavirus. “High-risk” players will earn $350,000 this year if they opt-out and players not placed in that category will earn $150,000. It’s unclear which of these guys fell into which category.
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