The NFLPA is reportedly considering a proposal to overhaul the league’s offseason training program with a new schedule that would start training camp weeks earlier.
The proposal raises an obvious question: Why is the players’ union trying to shorten players’ summer vacations? Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shelby Brown is among those eager to know.
The NFLPA’s reported proposal
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced the proposal on Tuesday. According to the report, the pending proposal seeks to eliminate spring training in favor of an earlier start to formal training camp. These trainings consist of three phases (rookie minicamp, voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp) that typically take place during the period from early May to mid-June. There are also team meetings that usually start in mid-April.
For example, here is the 2024 offseason schedule for the Buffalo Bills:
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Rookie minicamp: May 10-11
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Volunteer OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-30, June 3-4, June 6
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Mandatory mini camp: June 11-13
Players will then get a break until training camps begin in mid-July. The earliest date veterans had to report to camp in 2023 was July 19 (New York Jets), while the rest of the league’s players had to report no later than July 26. The reporting dates are based on teams’ preseason schedules, with teams playing in the Hall of Fame Game kickoff reporting earlier than others.
Training camp would start in mid-June instead of early July
According to Pelissero, the NFLPA’s pending proposal would shorten the spring training schedule and push the start of training camp to mid-June, which would mean a significantly earlier start to mandatory preseason activities.
Harris, a 10-year veteran, took to social media Tuesday to express his opposition to the proposal, repeatedly stating that players do not want to start training camp sooner.
I’m so confused how they’re trying to spin this by saying players want to start their camp at the end of June 🙃 no one wants anything to do with this change
— Shelby Harris (@ShelbyHarris93) May 28, 2024
Pelissero’s report says otherwise. According to the report, “a majority” of players support the idea. Which again begs the question: Why would players support an earlier start to mandatory training camp, which would shorten their summer vacation?
According to Pelissero, the earlier start of training camp, in coordination with the elimination of spring activities, would theoretically reduce injury risk. From the report:
“The NFLPA has consulted with medical and performance experts in hopes of creating a common sense solution for reducing injuries and maximizing player recovery time.”
Harris doesn’t seem to buy it.
The proposal is being considered under the relatively new leadership of NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell, who was chosen in June 2023 to succeed DeMaurice Smith.
Players other than Harris didn’t have much to say for or against the proposal when it was reported Tuesday — at least publicly.
Former NFL player and current podcaster Geoff Schwartz echoed Harris’ sentiments while speculating that the proposal is a precursor to expanding the season to an 18-game schedule.
It’s clearly the start of changing the offseason schedule for 18 games
Also…I continue to be surprised by the hatred NFL players have for OTAs. You exchange voluntary training under less stress for more training camps? OTAs are when you start building friendships and relationships.
This… https://t.co/Prt2z5F8nZ
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) May 28, 2024
Other players will surely join in as this story develops.
