Amid health concerns due to COVID-19, the NFL has allowed players to opt out of the 2020 season, yet still make money. Players deemed to be a high-risk for the virus are guaranteed $350,000 when the opt out, while others get a guaranteed $150,000.
We have seen many players opt out already, with some legitimately concerned about the virus and others wanting to lock down the guaranteed money. Here is a tracker of all NFL players opting out of the 2020 season, with the latest at the top.
Bookmark this article to return, as the tracker will be continuously updated
NFL Players Opting Out
Aug. 6
Shon Coleman, OT, San Francisco 49ers
Josh Doctson, WR, New York Jets
Malcolm Pridgeon, G, Cleveland Browns
Rashaan Melvin, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brad Seaton, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lucas Niang, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Aug. 5
Albert Wilson, WR, Miami Dolphins
Rolan Milligan, S, Indianapolis Colts
Marvell Tell, CB, Indianapolis Colts
Sam Beal, CB, New York Giants
Russell Bodine, C, Detroit Lions
Aug. 4
Travis Benjamin, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Colby Gossett, G, Cleveland Browns
Ukeme Eligwe, LB, Las Vegas Raiders
Marcus Gilbert, OT, Arizona Cardinals
Allen Hurns, WR, Miami Dolphins
Skai Moore, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Billings, DT, Cleveland Browns
Aug. 3
D.J. Killings, DB, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Valoaga, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Jordan Lucas, S, Chicago Bears
Josh Harvey-Clemons, LB, Washington Football Team
Ja’Wuan James, OT, Denver Broncos
Christian Miller, OLB, Carolina Panthers
Aug. 2
Geronimo Allison, WR, Detroit Lions
Da’Mari Scott, WR, New York Giants
Jamize Olawale, FB, Dallas Cowboys
Matt LaCosse, TE, New England Patriots
E.J. Gaines, CB, Buffalo Bills
Aug. 1
Lerentee McCray, DE/LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
C.J. Mosley, LB, New York Jets
After missing most of last season with injury, C.J. Mosley will opt out for this season. After signing a big contract with the Jets, he will have played just two games in two seasons. While they weren’t going far, this is a big blow to that squad.
Marqise Lee, WR, New England Patriots
July 31
Chandler Brewer, OT, Los Angeles Rams
Al Woods, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
Isaiah Prince, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Tupou, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
July 29
John Atkins, DT, Detroit Lions
Damien Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Good news for the fantasy owners of rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs running back Damien Williams has opted out of the 2020 NFL season. Williams was an important part of the Chiefs Super Bowl run, totaling 133 yards and two touchdowns in the big game.
Nate Solder, OT, New York Giants
July 28
Jason Vander Laan, TE, New Orleans Saints
Devin Funchess, WR, Green Bay Packers
Devin Funchess had cared for family members that were diagnosed with COVID-19 this offseason. While we are unsure if him opting out has anything to do with this, he will be opting out for this season. Funchess was the Packers’ lone veteran wide receiver addition this offseason, which means the Packers receiving corps is almost back to square one.
Jordan Mack, LB, Carolina Panthers
Jordan Mack is a smart man. The undrafted free agent was not going to make the Panthers roster. So, Mack opting out now ensures he gets guaranteed money for this season.
Leo Koloamatangi, OL, New York Jets
Marquise Goodwin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Pierce, DT, Minnesota Vikings
Star Lotulelei, DT, Buffalo Bills
Eddie Goldman, DT, Chicago Bears
Eddie Goldman has been the anchor of the feared defensive front of the Bears. The former second-round pick totaled 20 defensive stops and two quarterback hits last season. His ability to eat up blockers will be missed by the Chicago pass rushers.
Anthony McKinney, OT, Tennessee Titans
Patrick Chung, S, New England Patriots
Patrick Chung, 32, was entering his 12th NFL season. In May, he agreed to a two-year extension, which provided the safety with upfront cash. Now, he will sit out of the 2020 season with other guaranteed cash. Chung totaled 51 tackles and three passes defended last season.
Cole Wick, TE, New Orleans Saints
Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, Houston Texans
Kyle Peko, DT, Denver Broncos
Stephen Guidry, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Andre Smith, OT, Baltimore Ravens
Dont’a Hightower, LB, New England Patriots
Dont’a Hightower is a playmaker at linebacker for the Patriots. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, the veteran linebacker became a first-time father on July 16 and does not want to risk bringing home the virus. Hightower totaled 71 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and four passes defended last season.
Brandon Bolden, RB, New England Patriots
July 27
Marcus Cannon, OT, New England Patriots
Danny Vitale, FB, New England Patriots
Najee Toran, C/G, New England Patriots
Caleb Brantley, DL, Washington Football Team
Maurice Canady, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Chance Warmack, G, Seattle Seahawks
De’Anthony Thomas, WR, Baltimore Ravens
July 24
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, G, Kansas City Chiefs
The big-brained Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to opt out of the 2020 season. The offensive guard has been using his PhD to help with the coronavirus outbreak in Quebec, which he is expected to continue doing now that he opted out of the 2020 season.
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