NFL OFFSEASON WORKOUTS ARE NEAR

With the dust settled on Super Bowl LI and Tom Brady’s jersey now recovered, its almost time for NFL teams off season Workout sessions to begin. NFL Players wanted more time off to allow their bodies to heal from season end to off season workouts began, the directive of the players, let our bodies heal before the next session begins, which may help extend the careers of many. Off season workout sessions were shortened, limited in nature and organized in a much different structure to help the players or the product.

The NFL and NFLPA agreed on the last CBA (Collectively Bargaining Agreement) where all 32 NFL clubs may conduct voluntary workouts for nine weeks. During the nine week program players will be taken through three (3) phases consisting of the following 1. Strength training which includes both weight room and functional explosive movements 2. Physical conditioning including running and drill work along with plyometrics and stretching exercises 3. football classroom on the field which allows teams to introduce new techniques to keep players safe along with concepts and scheme changes.

Phase One: Two weeks of the program concentrate on with activities limited to strength training, conditioning for all players including those rehabbing injuries.

Phase Two: Three weeks period focuses on non-contact on-field workouts. This includes both individual player instruction, positional drill work and team (offesne & defense) practice sessions. Live contact is not permitted this also includes no offense vs. defense team drill work.

Phase Three: Last four weeks of the program clubs will conduct a total of 10 days of organized team activities (OTAs). Again there is NO contact permitted but the following drills are allowed for timing and recognition: 9-on-7, 7-on-7, and team 11-on-11. (this information can be found in article 21 of the CBA)

Newly hired Head Coaches are entitled to conduct an additional voluntary veteran mini-camp. These mini-camps must be conducted prior to the yearly NFL Draft, but no earlier than phase two of the off season workout sessions. Per CBA “week three of the club’s off-season workout program and after at least one week of the two weeks of Phase One activities that the clubs may hold pursuant to Article 21”. (this year, five clubs will hold voluntary veteran mini-camps, as noted below).

When it comes to Mandatory Mini-camps, Article 22 of the CBA states that “clubs may hold one mandatory mini-camp for veteran players. This mini-camp can only be conducted during Phase Three of the off season workout program”.

All clubs are encouraged to hold a Rookie Football Development program (team organized rookie symposium and development). The length of this is seven weeks and may begin on May 15. During this period. Per NFL Communications: No activities may be held on weekends, with the exception of one post-NFL Draft rookie mini-camp, which may be conducted on either the first or second weekend following the draft. The dates of each club’s post-draft rookie mini-camps will be circulated at a later date.

ALL dates of the NFL off-season Workout Program calendar are tentative and subject to change at the discretion of individual club management:

ARIZONA First Day: April 17

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 16-18, May 23-25, May 30-31, June 1-2

Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8

ATLANTA First Day: April 17

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 30, June 1-2, June 5-6, June 8-9