Patriots join list of teams skipping voluntary offseason workouts

The Denver Broncos became the first club to opt out Tuesday, also citing concerns over a lack of "adequate protocols" to return safely amid the ongoing pandemic. The Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions also released similar statements. 

NFLPA president J.C. Tretter and executive director DeMaurice Smith stated their desire to eliminate all in-person work before training camp, including mandatory minicamp, in a memo to players on Tuesday.

The NFL then sent out a memo on Wednesday setting a three-phase schedule for a nine-week offseason program, adding that minicamp is mandatory. 

All players, and everyone in the United States, for that matter, will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 19. It's unclear which players will opt to get vaccinated.