The NFL Players Association is considering pushing for changes to the offseason workout program.
The NFLPA 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, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per sources informed of the plan.
A formal proposal is expected this summer.
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.
For most clubs, the offseason program starts in mid-April and runs through mid-June. A roughly six-week summer break lasts until training camps kick off in mid-to-late July.
Offseason work rules are collectively bargained, so any changes require an agreement with the NFL.
Per Pelissero, the NFLPA has consulted medical and performance experts to create a solution for reducing injuries and maximizing players' recovery time. Under the potential proposal, virtual classroom work would still be permitted in the spring, but no practices until camp.
Restructuring the NFL's offseason could help break up the calendar, giving players a deeper layoff following a grinding season and a longer ramp-up period before the start of the season, which could prove helpful to avoid soft-tissue injuries that plague some players during training camps under the current structure.
