The top receivers from the 2019 draft around Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and A.J. Brown are insisting on a new contract. According to experts, they are considering a training boycott in order to put pressure on the respective officials, although this is likely to be finite due to the regulations in force.

Munich – In the current offseason, some NFL teams reached deep into their pockets for their pass receivers. Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs all cracked an average annual salary of at least $25 million. In addition, players like Christian Kirk (four years, up to 72 million US dollars) drove the price even higher.

All the more appealing now is an early contract extension for the top receivers who were selected in the 2019 NFL Draft and are eligible for extensions starting this offseason.

These are primarily former second- and third-round picks Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers), A.J. Brown (Tennessee Titans) and Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders, third round). Samuel and Brown, as of today, will earn just under four million US dollars next season, McLaurin three million.

Trio may be planning boycott

In order to put pressure on their respective front offices, the trio are planning to boycott their teams’ voluntary offseason workouts, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. McLaurin, already a team captain with the Commanders, is expected to attend the workout kickoff but not participate in the sessions.

Samuel and Brown made headlines in recent days after removing references to their team (in the form of pictures or Twitter descriptions) from social media.

Another nod to the fence post. But a long-term boycott is unlikely to materialise.

Unfavourable regulations from the players’ point of view

Because the collective agreement between the NFL and the players’ union “NFLPA” penalises boycotts rigorously and puts the teams in a good negotiating position. Boycotting the voluntary workout sessions that are currently starting up (which a whole bunch of players are skipping because they have their own offseason workout routines) will not be penalized.

However, the Collective Bargaining Agreement allows NFL teams to fine their players heavily for missing “Mandatory Minicamp” (up to $100,000) and Training Camp (up to $40,000 per day) without an excuse.

In addition, “Article 8” of the contract, which came into force in 2020, states: “A player shall not be credited with a recognised season if he is under valid contract with a team and fails to report on the day of the agreed training start date.”

Players are not considered free agents until after their fourth recognised season (unless released before then). From a player’s perspective, this makes it even more important to report to the team for training on time. Otherwise, they would be tied to their rookie contract for another year.

Final boycott?

But just showing up is not enough. If players refuse to train, the teams can also disqualify them from the season played. Any injuries claimed by the players will be investigated by independent parties. This is to exclude alibi injuries.

In the event that a player goes on strike under the rookie contract but subsequently agrees to a deal, the club can revoke the threatened fine or contract penalty.

The actions of the receivers (and all other players who are also currently hoping for a new contract) are more likely to be a symbolic gesture than a serious boycott. The NFL teams have too good a bargaining position in the current collective agreement for that and players would lose too much money.