NFLPA president calls for removal of 'unnecessary' OTAs, minicamp

J.C. Tretter, the president of the NFLPA, believes offseason changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic prove there is no need for OTAs or minicamp to continue any further.

"Another change that COVID-19 dictated was the elimination of offseason practices. After experiencing that change, there is no reason for us to ever return to the previous offseason program," Tretter said in a statement.

The NFL was forced to cancel its in-person offseason program due to the virus and go virtual instead. Tretter, who plays for the Cleveland Browns, says fears over the on-field product being negatively affected should be discredited by the results of the 2020 season.

"The argument in favor of these offseason practices is based on the assumption that players need reps during OTAs to develop and learn while teams need the practices to gel. Yet, the lack of OTAs this year demonstrated that those theories aren’t substantiated. New and first-year head coaches had success. Newly assembled teams had success. Rookies stepped in and played at a high level all across the league," Tretter noted.

"We do not need to be brought in during April-June to practice against each other - it's simply unnecessary."

Player safety has been a hot topic for Tretter during his first year as president. Tretter vows to continue pushing for safety while also maintaining the quality of play on the field.

"The COVID CBA forced significant changes, and it has shown us another way players and teams can successfully prepare for and play in the NFL," Tretter added.