MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

EXCHANGE MEMORANDUM

MC21-54

TO: Chief Executives, Presidents, General Managers and Head Coaches

FROM: NFL Management Council

DATE: April 14, 2021

RE: 2021 Offseason Workout Programs and Minicamps

____________________________________________________________________

This will set forth the revised structure and schedule governing voluntary
offseason workout programs and minicamps under Articles 21 and 22 of the Collective
Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”). These modifications will be in effect for the 2021
League Year only.

I. Overview

As explained more fully below, the earliest permissible starting date for offseason
workout programs will be Monday, April 19 for all NFL Clubs. Once begun, programs
will run for a maximum of nine consecutive weeks and will include all three workout
phases currently authorized under Article 21 of the CBA, subject to the modifications
described below. For the 2021 League Year only, new head coaches will not be
permitted to conduct a voluntary veteran minicamp prior to the NFL Draft. All Clubs will
be permitted to conduct a mandatory minicamp for veteran players during Phase Three
of the program.

II. Phase One (April 19 to May 14)

There are a number of significant revisions to Phase One of this year’s program.

First, Phase One has been extended from its customary two-week period to four
weeks.

Second, the Club may conduct up to, but no more than, two hours of directed
activity on each day of Phase One as permitted by Article 21, Section 5.

Third, no in-person meetings may be conducted; all meetings must be conducted

on a virtual basis (i.e., online).

MC21-54 Page 1 4/14/2021

 Fourth, players may work out in the weight room on a voluntary basis under the
direction of the Club’s strength and conditioning coaches, subject to the ten-
player limit described below.

Fifth, none of the customary Phase One on-field activities are permitted, except
that players may work out on their own during normal business hours, provided
that no footballs may be used and no coaches may be on the field.

To be clear, for the 2021 League Year only, the foregoing modifications to Phase
One rules will supersede the rules set forth in CBA Article 21, Section 2(c)(i). In
other words, players may not work out together; quarterbacks may not throw to
receivers; kickers and punters may not kick or punt; and JUGGS machines may
not be used.

Sixth, in order to receive credit toward the stated participation requirement of any
offseason workout bonus in the player’s 2021 NFL Player Contract, the player
must satisfy the Club’s reasonable workout requirements (e.g., on-field individual
workouts, weight room strength training, on-site rehabilitation of football-related
injuries, etc.), as well as his virtual meeting requirement. The Club may monitor
player participation in each phase of the program. Players who do not have an
offseason workout bonus clause must complete the two hours of directed activity
prescribed by the club (i.e., virtual meeting or classroom activity) in order to be
paid the daily $275 minimum amount, subject to all the terms and conditions of
Article 21, Section 3.

During Phase One, Clubs must comply with the NFL-NFLPA Post-Elimination
COVID-19 Protocols regarding signage, disinfection, PPE and contact tracing as set
forth in the Management Council’s memorandum to Clubs dated December 29, 2020 .
As set forth in that Protocol, no more than twenty (20) players may be in the Club facility
at the same time and no more than ten (10) players may be in a weight room at the
same time. In addition, Clubs will be required to test players every day upon entry to
the facility, using the Mesa rapid test. Subject to the minimum requirements above,
Clubs are permitted implement their own COVID-19 facility access rules and other
protocols, while remaining in compliance with applicable local and state regulations.

Time required for COVID-19 testing prior to entry into the Club facility will not
count toward the four-hour facility time limit during Phase One.

III. Phase Two (May 17 to 21)

Phase Two has been shortened from three weeks to one week. During Phase
Two, all meetings and classroom instruction must be conducted on a virtual basis (i.e.,
online).

The time restrictions set forth in Article 21 will continue to apply, such that
players may be at the Club facility for no more than four hours per day, including virtual
meetings, and on the field for no more than ninety minutes. The Club may not specify
more than two hours of directed activity (including virtual meetings) per day for any
player. The player may select the remaining two hours in which to complete the

MC21-54 Page 2 4/14/2021

requirements of his four-hour workout.

During Phase Two, all coaches are permitted to be on the field. On-field workouts
may include strength and conditioning, as well as all of the activities permitted by Article
21, Section 2(c)(ii) (Phase Two), without restriction.

Please note that this will be the first offseason program during which drills and
plays may be conducted with offensive players lining up across from offensive players
and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, with each group
permitted to align eleven or fewer players across from eleven or fewer players. Players
on one side of the ball may execute a play, but players on the opposite side of the ball
may not initiate contact with, or attempt to impede the progress of, players who are
running the play. All such drills must be conducted at an acceptable walkthrough pace
(i.e., Pro Bowl practice pace).

The head coach is responsible for communicating and ensuring the requirements
and limitations of this new practice regimen. It is also his responsibility to ensure that an
acceptable walkthrough pace is maintained throughout the drill. We anticipate that the
NFLPA will request and closely monitor video of these drills.

Please note that this memorandum does not include a complete list of
permissible and prohibited on-field activities during Phase Two. Please review Article
21, Section 2(c)(ii) prior to your first Phase Two Practice.

In addition, please be advised that, as of the commencement of Phase Two on

May 17, Clubs will no longer be free to implement their own testing cadence, tracking,
and facility access rules subject to the minimum requirements set forth in the
Management Council’s December 29, 2020 memorandum to Clubs.

Commencing with Phase Two, and for the remaining weeks of the offseason
program, the NFL-NFLPA Regular Season COVID-19 Protocols, including all
components of the Club’s IDER Plan, daily Mesa testing, use of personal protective
equipment, contact tracing, and disinfection practices will apply.

As noted, players will be permitted to be at the facility for no more than four hours
per day. Clubs must identify two-hour blocks for virtual meetings and strength and
conditioning to ensure adherence to occupancy limits in weight rooms and in the facility
generally. Players may select a time block, with veteran players receiving priority.

IV. Phase Three (May 24 to June 18)

Phase Three of the program will remain the customary four weeks in length.
Commencing with Phase Three, Clubs may conduct in-person meetings and classroom
instruction subject to the COVID-19 testing cadence, tracking, facility access and other
protocols, as noted in Section III above.

During Phase Three, Clubs may conduct ten days of organized team practice
activity (“OTA”). On OTA days, players may be at the Club facility no more than six
hours per day, and on the field no more than two hours per day. The rule that permits a

MC21-54 Page 3 4/14/2021

participating player to select the remaining two hours in which to complete the
requirements of his workout does not apply to OTA days in any League Year. All Phase
Three activities will be as scheduled by the Club, so long as the player’s time at the
facility does not exceed six hours, and his time on the field does not exceed two hours.

The Club may conduct a maximum of three days of OTAs during the first two
weeks of Phase Three. A maximum of four days of OTAs may be conducted during
either the third week or the fourth week of Phase Three, with the mandatory veteran
minicamp to be held during the other week. During weeks in which the Club conducts
only three days of OTAs, the Club may also conduct a fourth day of non-OTA activities,
but such activities shall be subject to the rules governing Phase Two workouts,
including facility and on-field time limits, as set forth in Article 21, Section 2(c)(ii).

During Phase Three, all coaches are allowed on the field. On-field workouts may
include all of the activities permitted by Article 21, Section 2(c)(iii) and CBA Appendix G,
without restriction. Such activities may include 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills,
provided no live contact occurs.

This will be the first offseason program during which “simulated press coverage”
is permitted outside of the 10-yard line using “hand placement” (versus jamming) during
11-on-11 drills, as well as related position group one-on-one drills (e.g., “footwork and
release” drills).

The head coach is responsible for communicating and ensuring the requirements
and limitations of the new drills. It is also his responsibility to ensure that such drills do
not escalate to the level of live contact or prohibited bump-and-run. We anticipate that
the NFLPA will request and closely monitor video of these drills.

Please note that this memorandum does not include a complete list of
permissible and prohibited on-field activities on OTA days. Please review Article 21,
Section 2(c)(iii) and Appendix G of the CBA prior to your first Phase Three practice.

As noted above, in addition to the ten days of organized team practice activities,
each Club is permitted to conduct a mandatory minicamp for veteran players during
either the third week or the fourth week of Phase Three. The minicamp must be
conducted during the week (Monday through Friday), with a physical examination taking
place on Monday, but no practices or workouts on that day, practices on Tuesday
through Thursday, and a day off on Friday.

If a Club does not conduct physical examinations during its mandatory veteran
minicamp, practices may be conducted on Monday through Wednesday and days off on
Thursday and Friday. The Phase Three rules set forth in Article 21, Section 2(c)(iii) shall
apply to all minicamp activities, subject to the facility and on-field time limits set forth in
Article 22, Section 2.

As a reminder, voluntary offseason workout programs are intended to provide

training, teaching, and physical conditioning for players. The intensity and tempo of drills
should be at a level conducive to learning, with player safety as the highest priority, and
not at a level where one player is in a physical contest with another player.

MC21-54 Page 4 4/14/2021

 Contact work (e.g., “live” blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run) is
expressly prohibited in all offseason workouts and minicamps.

V. Player Engagement Activities

During all phases of the offseason workout program, players may voluntarily
meet with members of the Club’s Player Engagement staff and may participate in NFL-
NFLPA jointly sponsored educational sessions. During Phase One and Phase Two of
the program, any such voluntary meetings or sessions must be conducted on a virtual
basis (i.e., online). These voluntary meetings and sessions will not count toward the
four-hour facility time limit on non-OTA days, or the six-hour facility time limit on OTA
days.

VI. Player Participation

As in prior years, player participation in the Club’s 2021 offseason workout

programs is strictly voluntary. No Club official may indicate to a player that the Club’s
offseason workout program or classroom instruction is not voluntary, or that a player’s
failure to participate in any aspect of the program will result in the player’s failure to
make the Club, or in any other adverse consequences affecting his working conditions.

VII. Payment

As noted above, each player will receive at least $275 per day for any workouts
or classroom instruction (whether such instruction is virtual or in-person) in which he
participates pursuant to the Club offseason workout program, as modified herein,
subject to all other terms and conditions of Article 21, Section 3 (Payments), which
remain unchanged.

Any contract term in the NFL Player Contract of a player who, prior to the start of
the offseason workout program, has four or more Accrued Seasons, as defined in
Article 8, Section 1, and which term is contingent, in whole or in part, upon the player’s
participation in the offseason workout program (e.g., without limitation, an offseason
bonus or other contract provision) is subject to individual negotiation between the player
and the Club; provided, however, that any such agreement may not require the player’s
participation in more than 84.375% of the Club’s scheduled workouts (e.g., 27 of the 32
total offseason workouts, eight weeks times four days per week).

To be clear, such a player cannot be required to participate in more than 27 of

the Club’s 32 scheduled workouts in order to earn his offseason workout bonus. Any
such agreement must be included in the player’s contract prior to the commencement of
the Club’s offseason workout program.

Expenses for travel, board and lodging for a player participating in the Club’s
offseason workout program will not be included in Salary or Team Salary, so long as
such expenses are reasonable and customary and generally offered to all players by
the Club.

MC21-54 Page 5 4/14/2021

VIII. Filming of Workouts and Minicamps

Clubs are required to film all three phases of on-field workout sessions during the
offseason workout program, including individual on-field workouts during Phase One, as
well as all on-field activities during any minicamp. The Club must maintain a copy of
such films until thirty days after the start of the regular season.

The NFLPA may request video from any practice without first initiating a formal
proceeding alleging a violation of any applicable on-field workout rule. Any such
requests shall be limited to four Clubs per week and no more than four requests for any
individual Club in the same League Year.

IX. Violations

Any violation of the rules governing offseason workout programs or minicamps

will subject the head coach and/or the Club to discipline under Article 21, Section 8 or
Article 22, Section 10, respectively.

X. Post-Draft Rookie Minicamp / Rookie Football Development Programs

No changes have been made to the rules governing the three-day post-Draft
Rookie Minicamp or the Rookie Football Development Program, as set forth in Article
22, Sections 7 and 8, respectively. As in prior years, the three-day post-Draft Rookie
Minicamp may be conducted on either the first or second weekend following the
April 29 - May 1 College Draft.

Rookie Football Development Programs may begin on Monday, May 17. The
Rookie Football Development Program may be held five days per week for a period of
seven consecutive weeks. During this period, no mandatory or voluntary activities may
be held on weekends, with the sole exception of the Club’s three-day post-Draft Rookie
Minicamp. All Rookie Football Development Programs will end on July 2.

In addition to rookie players, the following players may now be invited to

participate in a Club’s Rookie Football Development Program, subject to the rules set
forth in Article 22, Section 8(c): (i) non-quarterbacks with zero Credit Seasons (as
defined in Article 26, Section 2) who signed a Player Contract with any Club for a prior
League Year; (ii) quarterbacks with zero Credited Seasons who signed a Player
Contract with any Club for a prior League Year; and (iii) quarterbacks with one (1)
Credited Season who participated in less than 25% of their Clubs’ offensive plays
during the 2020 season. Please review Article 22, Section 8(c) prior to inviting such
players to participate in your 2021 Rookie Football Development Program.

In addition to reimbursements and payments provided by the Club pursuant to

Article 7, Section 5(e) for travel, room and board, each rookie player will receive $135
per day for each day he participates in the Club’s Rookie Football Development

MC21-54 Page 6 4/14/2021

Program, subject to all the terms and conditions of Article 22, Section 8(b). Each rookie
player will also receive $135 per day for each day he participates in any minicamp for
veteran players. Rookie players who participate in the Club’s three-day post-Draft
Rookie Minicamp are not entitled to compensation.

XI. Submitting Offseason Workout Schedules

Immediately upon receipt of this memorandum, all Clubs must review, revise and
resubmit the 2021 offseason workout schedules to the Management Council via the
Football Information System, by 6:00 P.M., New York time, on Friday, April 16. Please
ensure that your schedule reflects the foregoing changes to the length of Phase One
and Phase Two.

XII. Questions

If you have any questions concerning the work rules discussed in this
memorandum, please call Sean Estrada (714-654-3978) or Leland Taylor (615-517-
7597). If you have any questions concerning the applicable COVID-19 Protocols,
please call Meghan Carroll (914-522-0282) or Molly Delaney (845-527-9406).

NFL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

MC21-54 Page 7 4/14/2021