NFLPA working to finalize proposal to overhaul offseason workout program

The offseason workout program might see changes as the NFL Players Association is contemplating advocating for them.

The NFLPA is aiming to finalize a proposal that would revamp the offseason as early as 2025. The proposed changes would eradicate voluntary on-field work in the spring, replacing it with an extended training camp ramp-up. Players would report between mid-June and early July, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, who reported this information on Tuesday, citing sources aware of the plan.

This summer, a formal proposal is anticipated.

Under new leadership since July 2023, the NFLPA has sought feedback from players on adjusting the offseason schedule, with the majority supporting the changes, Pelissero reported.

The current offseason workout program, which is collectively bargained, is a voluntary nine-week offseason program broken down into three phases, which include meetings (Phase One), on-field individual drills (Phase Two), and organized team activities (Phase Three). Teams can conduct one mandatory minicamp for veterans during Phase Three.

The offseason program for most clubs commences in mid-April and extends to mid-June. This is followed by a roughly six-week summer break that lasts up until the start of the training camps in mid-to-late July.

Any changes to offseason work rules require a collective agreement as they are bargained with the NFL.

According to Pelissero, the NFLPA has sought advice from medical and performance specialists to devise a strategy for minimizing injuries and optimizing players’ recuperation periods. The prospective proposal would allow virtual classroom sessions in the spring, with practices only commencing at camp.

Redefining the NFL’s offseason calendar could provide players with a more extended break after an intense season and a longer preparation period before the new season starts. This change could be beneficial in preventing soft-tissue injuries that some players suffer during training camps under the existing structure.