The NFLPA is reportedly finalizing a proposal that would push OTAs back from late spring to early summer.
If approved, OTAs would no longer be two days a week over five to six weeks in May and June leading to a 3-day mini-camp in mid-June, and instead that portion of the schedule would be attached to the front end of training camp in late June and early July.
End of OTAs? The NFL Players Association is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as soon as 2025, eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up, with players reporting in mid-June to early July, per… pic.twitter.com/nQa9TmKCGO
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024
As explained below, this would have a massive effect on the personal lives of those who don't get a say in negotiations between players and owners.
The league essentially shuts down in the six weeks between minicamps in mid-June and the opening of training camps in late July, which is a welcome and necessary respite between a long (and growing longer) season and a big (and growing bigger) offseason.
That break would still happen, but it would be a big change for coaches and staffers with children at home.
This is going to suck for coaches/personnel departments. The break in the NFL calendar married up well with end of school year, which allowed families to have quality time together. Getting your break while school is still in session would be a bummer. https://t.co/DThRp72c0y
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) May 28, 2024
Now, yours truly does not get a vote in NFLPA matters, but if I did I would vote against this change.
The NFL season is long enough as presently constituted. Games will stretch from Labor Day to President's Day soon enough. The potential of having to be "on" from July 4 to President's Day -- 33 straight weeks, potentially -- sounds grueling.
That said, I don't get a vote, and if the media is reporting on a proposal like this, that's likely a sign that it's close to passing.
NFL owners tend to give players what they want on all negotiations that don't have anything to do with the bottom line, because they're undoubtedly asking for more games and/or more money with the next round of negotiations.
If the NFLPA approves this calendar, my guess is the NFL rubber-stamps it. But that's just a guess.
All that to say, if you're a coach or staffer whose home life would be negatively impacted by this potential change, the time to start lobbying your local NFLPA rep is right this second.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.