Although teams around the NFL have put an emphasis on establishing safety protocols for players ahead of the 2020 NFL season, there is still plenty of concern about the risks involved with playing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With training camp beginning at the end of the month, the NFLPA kickstarted negotiations for those that may not want to take part due to the risks involved. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the league is expected to come to a deal that would allow players to opt out of playing:

“My understanding is both the union and the league intend to have an opt-out for players who have either a pre-existing condition, family (members) with pre-existing conditions, just general concerns over COVID-19, would not want to play this season … General managers were told on a call earlier this week there would be a specific date by which players would need to opt-out. That date is still to be determined.”

There are already players who have mixed feelings about playing the 2020 campaign amid the ongoing pandemic and a time of social unease. It is safe to say that the recent spike in the number of positive cases throughout the nation has only amplified these concerns.

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The NFLPA is now hoping that they come to an agreement where a player can opt out and come back in 2021 to pick up his contract where he left off. The term for it is referred to as “tolling,” and it should help provide some security against any significant financial repercussions for those who choose to sit out.

The NFL could follow the same model as the NBA for players that opted out of finishing the remaining handful of games at Walt Disney World. However, it remains to be seen how the framework would apply for an entire 16-game season and the playoffs.