Extra Cheese: Devin Funchess opts out of 2020 season

Aaron chats with Packers fans about the news that Devin Funchess is opting out of the 2020 NFL season.

Earlier this evening, I held a live Packers chat over on our YouTube channel, talking about the news that Devin Funchess is opting out of the 2020 season.

Be sure to subscribe to the channel if you'd like to participate in future chats.

You can also listen to the podcast here:

Find all of my daily podcasts here.

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

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10 points
 

Comments (80)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Rick5952's picture

July 28, 2020 at 06:07 pm

I wish I could opt out of my job and make 150k.

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PhantomII's picture

July 28, 2020 at 09:56 pm

He kept his 1 million signing bonus. Unbelievable.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 29, 2020 at 02:36 am

Yup. To update Pete5952, I'd like to make $1,050,000 from my employer for doing nothing. The stipend is apparently a salary advance. Funchess will be under contract for 2021 under the same terms of his contract.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 29, 2020 at 09:54 am

I don't blame him.

I can do my job without being sprayed with spit by random people. I expect you can too.

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Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:07 am

You would be amazed at how many germs you are exposed to every day. Not one single professional athlete has been hospitalized from this virus...,,,.to the best of my knowledge.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 29, 2020 at 12:40 pm

Spare me these idiotic non sequiturs.

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Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2020 at 03:33 pm

Just because you can’t see the connection doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 30, 2020 at 04:37 am

That's fair. And it appears that Funchess is not eligible for the stipend any way. Moreover, he is still under contract for the remaining terms for 2021, so he will play for just $1.25M or so plus incentives that were in his contract already in 2021.

Financially, it is a loss for Funchess to opt out. He won't get that year back and professional sports is very age dependent.

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Coldworld's picture

July 30, 2020 at 07:11 am

Reference to some elements of his family being in the at risk category. If so, I can see that tipping the balance.

Overall, might have a small positive impact on cap next year?

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Bure9620's picture

July 29, 2020 at 07:37 am

I mean we can demonize him but this is a rule which was made by the NFL and agreed upon by the players association....he is simply doing something which was agreed upon......

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PeteK's picture

July 28, 2020 at 06:24 pm

It will make the development of MVS, ESB, and Begelton imperative. This might turn out to be a positive (fingers & toes crossed) as the aforementioned players are more athletic and slightly more cost effective.

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dobber's picture

July 28, 2020 at 09:09 pm

So, essentially, the Packers go into 2020 with a very similar WR room as 2019--subtract Allison, add Begelton and ESB.

If there's a season, Kumerow and Begelton have to feel much better about their chances of being a part of it.

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PeteK's picture

July 29, 2020 at 09:45 am

I always thought the keys to the improvement of the offense this year was the following: use of Ervin from the slot, improvement of Sternberger as blocker and receiver, and Dillon bulldozing the middle.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 28, 2020 at 06:53 pm

So we're stuck with MVS's "development" for another year. Great.

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D.D.Driver's picture

July 28, 2020 at 08:00 pm

Am I the only one who remembers the same posts about Davante at this point in his career?

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 28, 2020 at 08:40 pm

You're seriously going to compare Davante Adams with MVS? Please stop.

In his TWO years at Fresno, Adams had 233 receptions and 38 TDs.
In his FOUR year college career, MVS totaled 119 receptions and 12 TDs.

MVS had a very mediocre college career and has shown zero development in his 2 year NFL career. If Funchess hadn't opted out, I doubt MVS would have even made the final 53 this year. He's fast and tall...that's it.

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Bure9620's picture

July 29, 2020 at 08:56 am

I dont think it was a direct comparison, only that typically 1st and 2nd year receivers tend to struggle and be inconsistent. WR is a big jump to the NFL from college. Maybe MVS figures it out this year and becomes a reliable #2 or deep threat. No one is saying he is Davante Adam's in year 3. Maybe he is Marvin Jones??

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murf7777's picture

July 28, 2020 at 09:57 pm

Nope, many wanted him gone and my thoughts he was our most athletic WR. Funny, he had injuries in year two as well. Fans are so impatient.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 28, 2020 at 10:53 pm

Once again.....you're comparing a 2nd team ALL-AMERICAN 2nd round draft choice to an obscure 5th rounder, who had a very mediocre college career, and was drafted purely on potential.

A really ridiculous comparison.

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murf7777's picture

July 30, 2020 at 08:19 am

My view isn’t the comparison but more about losing patience with a 3rd year WR who has shown potential. He had a good rookie year and was averaging 20+ yards per reception prior to the injury bug. WR is a position that normally takes longer to mature to their potential. Do I think Adams was showing even more potential absolutely yes, and I stated that many times about him while others were down on him,but MVS has some qualities you just can’t teach, height and speed! If Rodgers gets connected with him, watch out he could produce some solid numbers.

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stockholder's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:58 am

He dropped a lot of balls too. Obviously they worked with him, and saw the improvement.( Unlike Moore. ) Still I said," they needed to hit his left hand," until his mental block left. So Yes, I wanted him gone. And yes, I still think he's going to fall on his face again. Which is why I wouldn't pay him 15mil ,( being they want to run the ball more too.) His chemistry is with Arron Rodgers.!!! The best thing I see in Adams now is he "WANTS THE BALL". And his greatest improvement was his footwork. If you see him start to drop balls again. The packers will need to move him quickly!! And with are Cap restrictions. And other needs. His Trade value could MAKe us Better. Most people don't remember John Jefferson. If we can move Adams like the Jefferson trade. I believe the packers will have a better future.

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Oppy's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:44 pm

You are still sticking with the worst Adams hot take ever?

I'll give you credit- you don't change your tune to fit in with the crowd, even if that tune was 100% dead. wrong.

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stockholder's picture

July 30, 2020 at 08:17 am

Drop Vante? Remember that nick name? Of course you do. I only have to remind you what happened after Lombardi left, and until Holmgram showed up. Adams is an All-pro. But Hall of Fame Wrs get 1000 yards, year after year. I remember Ted Hendricks. Defense wins championships. If they don't sign King and Clark it will be the biggest mistake made since Ted Hendricks. Hanging unto to offense doesn't work in the NFL!! Yes I'm for trading Adams. His salary is the problem now. Not his play.

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Oppy's picture

July 30, 2020 at 07:12 pm

I don't know how I accidentally thought you were saying his play was going to be a factor when you clearly said, "And yes, I still think he's going to fall on his face again."

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Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2020 at 08:02 am

No, you aren’t.

Whatever they did in college, or high school, or Pop Warner, as NFL players Adams and MVS have had a very comparable first two seasons. I remember a lot of frustration with Adams dropping passes.

Still, it’s nice to see the same people seizing the opportunity to unfairly denigrate our players.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:21 am

What's unfair about it?

After 4 years in college and 2 years in the NFL, what exactly has MVS shown you, other than he's fast? He's had a future HOF QB throwing to him. Amazing how Lazard was able to take advantage of that in less than a full year with Rodgers, but MVS hasn't been able to in two full years.

Just because GB drafted him, doesn't mean he is immune to criticism.

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Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:34 am

It is fair to criticize him for not being better than Adams his first two years. If college performance mattered, Donald Driver wouldn’t be our all time receptions leader. This is the NFL.....what you did in high school and college doesn’t matter anymore.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 29, 2020 at 12:10 pm

Obviously I'm wrong. Now, not only is he being compared to Davante Adams, he's being compared to Driver as well. So I guess that means he's on the cusp of an all-pro career. Can't wait to see it.

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Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2020 at 02:10 pm

Are you always this passive-aggressive? Nobody except you is saying “all pro”. That’s a straw man.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 29, 2020 at 02:32 pm

Then why compare him to two all-pros? You and others on here keep comparing him to Adams, and now Driver, not me. I simply made the comment suggesting he doesn't seem like an NFL ready/caliber wide receiver.

And you never answered my earlier question as to why you think he is. In my opinion he is Jeff Janis 2.0, but without the special teams skills.

And, also, if what an athlete accomplished in college is so irrelevant, why even have a draft?

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Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2020 at 03:46 pm

Wow. What an incredible jumble of illogic.

You don’t think MSV is an NFL caliber receiver even though he compares well with other people who are. That’s your opinion, based on basically nothing.

Why do I think MSV might well be a player? Because he’s already accomplished as much in his first two years as other NFL receivers.

Jeff Janis caught 14 passes in four seasons. MSV caught 64 in two years for over 1000 yards.

People are drafted based on potential just as often as they are drafted based on collegiate achievement. Lots of quarterbacks were drafted before Marino. Or Brady. Or Starr. Some guys mature later. Some guys benefit from pro coaching. It’s not an exact science. And after a couple of years in the pros, how they did in college isn’t that relevant. Ask Tony Mandarich.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 29, 2020 at 04:08 pm

Then why not compare him to average "other" receivers and not all-pro receivers? Or first ballot HOFers like Marino, Brady, Starr to make your point.

Also Janis played behind players like Jordy, Cobb, J. Jones, Davonte. Who knows what kind of numbers he would have put up if given the same opportunities as MVS. (Not sure who MSV is)

Tony Mandarich? Really? I'm sure you're not suggesting MVS took massive amounts of steroids while in college. Otherwise I don't see the connection.

I hope MVS evolves into a legitimate #2 or #3 NFL receiver. I don't see it. You do. It's called a difference of opinion. Your opinion is no more relevant than mine.

Have a good day.

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D.D.Driver's picture

July 29, 2020 at 04:41 pm

Here's the point, which I think is fairly obvious: it takes a while for WR to develop. And, there is a reason there is the phrase "sophomore slump." I thought he showed playmaking ability the first half of last season. Consistency comes with experience. Maybe everything will click with MVS, maybe not. But, it really shouldn't be surprising or disappointing that it takes a 5th round WR a couple years to develop. Honestly, what did you *expect*?

I also like your questiom: other than him being really fast what does MVS have to offer as a wide receiver? LOL.

"Other than *that* Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the show?"

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 29, 2020 at 06:08 pm

As a 5th round draft choice, he has performed as would be reasonably expected. He has a few positives like size and speed, but also has glaring weaknesses like terrible route running and trouble with contested catches. I just wish people would stop comparing him to Adams. It's not fair, particularly to him.

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D.D.Driver's picture

July 30, 2020 at 09:16 am

You are *literally* the only person who thinks someone is "making comparisons" between the two players. I was making an observation about ridiculous, bratty Packer fans. Everyone gets it: except you.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 30, 2020 at 12:31 pm

You might want to learn the definition of *literally*, and when to properly use it.

Everytime I've brought up MVS in this thread and others, people have responded with how Adams did in his first two years. I'm pretty sure that's *literally* making a comparison.

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Coldworld's picture

July 30, 2020 at 07:16 am

MVS and Funchess couldn’t be less interchangeable. You were almost certainly stuck with the continuing development of late round developmental speedster MVS anyway.

Bagelton, Kumerow and Tonyan would appear to be candidates to benefit, with perhaps Tonyan being the most physically similar in type terms.

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stockholder's picture

July 28, 2020 at 07:23 pm

Can Gutey Opt out too? Let Ball take -over. Seriously we didn't take a WR because of Funchess. He was hurt last year. I say he's just another Bennett.

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PF4L's picture

July 29, 2020 at 06:28 am

I think Funchess was a token move by Gute to add a receiver. He found someone he could get on the cheap. Made a move to show he "addressed it."

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jannes bjornson's picture

July 29, 2020 at 08:42 am

His only move was to get a deal done with NOLA to have a chance at Aiyuk. Reagor and Jefferson went ahead and the vikqueens were not going to make a trade with him. Lynch was aggressive.

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Coldworld's picture

July 30, 2020 at 07:18 am

Ball? The man who supposedly controlled the roster in TTs last years? Thank you no!

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Gman1976's picture

July 28, 2020 at 08:29 pm

Sad to hear, but wish all all the kneelers will opt out too.

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fastmoving's picture

July 29, 2020 at 03:35 pm

Everyone and his brother will kneel and that will be the best thing about the season. Just few people are as unamerican as the orange Pres and his looooser base.

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sonomaca's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:46 pm

Packantifa. Please don’t throw bombs at Lambeau or tear down Vince Lombardi’s statue. Thank you in advance.

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Lphill's picture

July 28, 2020 at 08:34 pm

I don’t think the season is gonna happen .

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dobber's picture

July 28, 2020 at 09:07 pm

We agree on this. I don't think teams will make it more than a couple weeks into camp before someone's roster is absolutely riddled with cases.

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mrtundra's picture

July 29, 2020 at 09:54 am

I agree! How would we, as fans, handle our team contracting the virus, on the road? I'd hate to see the same mess MLB has now, affect the Packers.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 29, 2020 at 09:56 am

Yep, and Baseball actaully has the option to play with distancing (mostly).

Football will lack distancing on every single snap.

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dobber's picture

July 29, 2020 at 01:48 pm

Unfortunately the Packer run D was working on its distancing against SF last year.

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Bure9620's picture

July 30, 2020 at 01:37 am

Yeah, so far from the ball carrier it was antisocial distancing

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4thandinches's picture

July 28, 2020 at 11:05 pm

Depth is going to be big this year. Hope the young wrs can step up!

1 points
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PF4L's picture

August 01, 2020 at 09:16 am

I'd be happy just to have a clear cut #2 receiver.....considering the brain trust that is currently running this team.

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PF4L's picture

July 29, 2020 at 06:23 am

The thing that surprises me is, why did he wait until the first day to report to camp to announce it?
Let's look at possible motives....
Is he trying to leverage for more money?
He's only 26, The Colts paid him 10 million last year (for 3 catches), the Pack is paying him 25% of that. He probably doesn't need the income and next season he can reset.
BUT........He needs to show he can play, he hasn't had a good season since 2017. His target catch rate is 51.8% which is awful. Most people blame that on Newton. But after Funchess left the Panthers, Newton's completion % shot up to a career high 66%.
At the end of the day i don't think it matters as the Packers gave up on winning with Rodgers and are building for the future with Love.

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PeteK's picture

July 29, 2020 at 07:29 am

The Love move is like playing chess, you have to presume on the future.

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dobber's picture

July 29, 2020 at 09:14 am

"The thing that surprises me is, why did he wait until the first day to report to camp to announce it?"

The opt-out didn't become a thing until 2-3 days ago.

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PF4L's picture

August 01, 2020 at 09:12 am

Some players opted out before that.

It wasn't a new thing.

What happened on July 24th was that the NFL and NFLPA agreed on "rules" of players that opted out. Like the legalities, payment, accrued season, is the contract void on a a 1 year deal or does it transfer to next year......things like that

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dobber's picture

August 01, 2020 at 01:32 pm

Well-stated. It's one thing for players to say they're not going to play, but a different thing to be able to opt-out.

<<Tips hat>>

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Rudedawg67's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:04 am

The players got to do what he feels best for himself I guess. Since he never played a down with the team it’s not like he’s busting up the chemistry of the wide receiving corps. This may affect the Packers decision on whether to keep five or six wideouts because after Adams the wide receiving corps for the most part is still inexperienced. That’s a fact that would not of changed had they drafted a wide receiver but I still wish they would’ve nabbed one on day two of the draft. With the exception of maybe Begelton we know what we have unless they go out and get another wide receiver via trade or free agency.

2 points
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dobber's picture

July 29, 2020 at 10:59 am

For those who were interested in Michael Pierce, he opted out with the Vikings, too.

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Ferrari-Driver's picture

July 29, 2020 at 11:09 am

I was looking forward to seeing Funchess playing this year, but respect his decision and wish him well.

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Since&#039;61's picture

July 29, 2020 at 11:12 am

As I asked on another thread, between opt outs and players infected with COVID-19 how many players will be left to play by Week 1?

Due to the salary cap teams cannot carry enough quality depth to cover the loss of players resulting from opt outs, Covid infections and actual football injuries. In fact injuries will likely increase as 3rd and 4th stringers are forced into starting roles.
Does anyone want to see Rodgers playing behind a third string LT or 3rd string interior OL?
We’ll see how it goes for the rest of TC but the league is not off to a very good start.
More than 50% of the people who have recovered from Covid-19 have since been diagnosed with heart problems. Many others have had damage to other organs as well. I don’t see the necessity for young and healthy players to take the additional risk with football being a high risk sport to begin with. Thanks, Since ‘61

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dobber's picture

July 29, 2020 at 11:15 am

I think we're headed for what amounts to scab football in 2020 if the league decides to play at all. Owners will always be able to find someone willing to take a shot.

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Bure9620's picture

July 29, 2020 at 12:45 pm

Yes the study from NYU on Monday is eye opening Since '61.
3/4 of Covid-19 patients whom recovered have heart inflammation and heart damage and some have more serious arrhythmia. The patient population was ages 45-53. What we do not know yet is how long lasting.........

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Since&#039;61's picture

July 30, 2020 at 08:50 am

Yes, I’ve seen the NYU report. As my son has mentioned on numerous occasions the medical profession still has a lot to learn about this virus. It’s going to be a long term process even after a vaccine is developed. Thanks, Since ‘61

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Bure9620's picture

July 31, 2020 at 02:50 am

3 down votes for mentioning a study.????

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Adorabelle's picture

July 29, 2020 at 11:45 am

I haven't been paying attention since I am not convinced there is an upcoming season. But going with the idea there is a season how does an opted out player count against the cap?

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dobber's picture

July 29, 2020 at 01:55 pm

My understanding is that any paid bonuses or prorated bonuses attributed to the 2020 cap (signing, workout, roster, etc.) that have already paid out continue to count against the cap. The annual cash money value of the contract for 2020 tolls with the remaining years of the contract to 2021.

There's a readable explanation here...

https://overthecap.com/the-impact-of-the-covid-rules-on-the-salary-cap-a...

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Point-Packer's picture

July 29, 2020 at 12:18 pm

It will be fine, "they just need to play".........(eye roll)

2 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

July 29, 2020 at 01:08 pm

Everything you post deserves an eye roll.
Can you ever come up with something original, or just keep posting the same tired sh*t over and over?

-6 points
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Nate-1980's picture

August 01, 2020 at 05:34 pm

I think it’s funny, and he’s right, our receivers are crap after Adams.. From reading most of your posts 13, you sound like I prick son..:)

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Lphill's picture

July 29, 2020 at 03:17 pm

You can test positive and have no symptoms or cold like symptoms, these athletes need to grow a pair, nurses and doctors don’t opt out , Police and fire fighters don’t opt out as well as all the other essential workers.

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fastmoving's picture

July 29, 2020 at 03:43 pm

Yeah, nurses and doctors advice players to opt out all the time. And if Police had the chance to opt out I would guess 20% plus x would do it.

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Oppy's picture

July 29, 2020 at 11:09 pm

Man, I never really thought about it like that. I mean, you're right- nurses, doctors, firefighters, as well as all the other essential workers don't opt out.

When you put it that way, it actually makes me wonder how the hell you are lumping football players, who aren't essential workers and do absolutely nothing important for society as a whole, into the same group as nurses, doctors, police, firefighters as well as all the other essential workers.

There is zero reason for anyone who plays professional sports for a living- particularly a full contact team sport that puts 106 players on the field plus dozens of coaches, trainers, and equipment personnel on the field each sunday- to play through this pandemic if they don't feel comfortable doing so.

We're all aware many people have really important jobs that must be done regardless, and that many people can't play it safe and stay home from workplaces to mitigate risks because they have to put food on the table and pay the rent... Those people are not pro athletes.

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Bure9620's picture

July 30, 2020 at 01:32 am

Stop making sense........I prefer wild asinine, provocative statements.........

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crayzpackfan's picture

July 31, 2020 at 02:57 pm

I’m just curious if protesters and rioters are essential? Nobody seems to want them to go home or opt out. They must be essential, there’s no other explanation for this.

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Oppy's picture

August 01, 2020 at 12:46 pm

There's literally nobody saying "it's okay for protestors to be out in the streets in large groups during a pandemic". The only people who weave this narrative are networks and websites that profit from fanning politically charged stories to rile up their viewers.

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Packers0808's picture

July 29, 2020 at 05:43 pm

Hate to say but just cancel the season, too much contact in this sport!

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Coldworld's picture

July 30, 2020 at 07:21 am

What are the odds on this season being completed as currently planned? What happens when we get a team with an outbreak?

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murf7777's picture

July 30, 2020 at 07:44 am

We will have a Memorial Day SB, now that would be ironic.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 30, 2020 at 12:43 pm

Memorial Day is on a Monday, so.....

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