The New England Patriots have eight players who have elected to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.

Now, the NFL is apparently trying to move the opt-out deadline to this coming Wednesday, which does not sit well with Patriots safety Devin McCourty.

McCourty said he feels the league might be taken aback at how many players are opting out, but added moving the deadline would not be aligned with the CBA agreement:

“It’s an absolute joke that the NFL is changing the opt-out period, mainly because they don’t want to continue to see guys opt out,” McCourty told Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston. “I’m sure they’re shocked about how many guys have opted out. But it’s the same thing when we sign the CBA, sometimes some of those things that we think are good, sometimes backfire. You know, we have rookies who are locked in long-term contracts and tagged and tagged. You guys don’t think we would love to change that about the CBA? But we can’t. That’s the point of signing an agreement.

“So I think it’s terrible. I think it’s BS that the league [wants to change] that date.”

Players were intent on being allowed an opt-out option as part of an agreement on health and safety protocols. All players deciding to opt out would be guaranteed a stipend for the 2020 season.

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However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported some owners are skeptical players on the fringes of making a team roster are electing to opt out so as to acquire the stipend.

Florio also reported some agents are “using the threat of an opt out” so as to spark contract talks for their clients.

At the same time, numerous players choosing to opt out have made lengthy statements about their concern for family members, and health and safety should continue to be a priority for the NFL.

In any case, McCourty thinks the league would be overstepping its bounds by moving the deadline.