Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, quarterback isn’t the only position where the New England Patriots will be tasked with deploying a new starter in 2020.
In addition to replacing Tom Brady at QB, Patriots coach Bill Belichick will need to replace safety Patrick Chung, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, right tackle Marcus Cannon and fullback Danny Vitale in the team’s starting lineup, as all four of those players have opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Guard Najee Toran and running back Brandon Bolden, a key player on special teams, have also informed New England they will not be playing in the 2020 NFL season.
For a team that was likely going to have to revert to running the ball and playing good defense to win games in the wake of Brady’s departure to Tampa Bay, the losses of longtime starter Cannon and team captain Hightower are especially concerning. Belichick will now have to figure all of this out over the next six weeks before the NFL season begins in September. At least one NFL executive thinks he will …
Actual text exchange with an NFL executive today after a sixth Patriot opted out:
Him: “You know Bill is masterminding all of this somehow.”
Me: “For what reason?”
Him: “I don’t know! That’s why he is who he is!”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2020
After word of the opt-outs was released, Brady and former Patriot Rob Gronkowski had a Twitter interaction that some believe may have been a veiled shot at their old team following the news.
Indeed it is, Robert… https://t.co/cYcS1klSgP
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) July 28, 2020
Elsewhere in the NFL, Chicago Bears starting defensive lineman Eddie Goldman will opt out of the 2020 season due to health concerns related to the coronavirus, as will Kansas City Chiefs starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Former 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who the Eagles traded for during April’s draft, has also informed Philadelphia he plans to opt out for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Per last week’s agreement between the league and the NFLPA, players considered high risk for COVID-19 can earn $350,000 and an accrued NFL season if they opt out of the season, and players without risk can earn $150,000.
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