NFL combine boycott looms over 'bubble' restrictions

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

NFL combine boycott looms as agents speak out against 'bubble' restrictions

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 2/21/22

Agents for players participating in next week's NFL combine are organizing a boycott of major portions of the event if rules involving the COVID-19 "bubble" are not addressed, multiple sources have said.

If implemented, a boycott could impact nearly half of the 324 prospects participating in the combine.

Agents representing more than 150 draft prospects are organizing a boycott of all testing, on-field workouts and interviews at next month’s NFL scouting combine if heavy “bubble” restrictions aren’t changed, sources tell me and @TomPelissero
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 21, 2022

The concern from agents and players is with the NFL's current event rules that will restrict players to a bubble and not allow them to interact with their doctors, personal trainers, agents and other important personnel during the combine.

Here's the memo Saturday from the NFL combine outlining the bubble environment (and expulsion for violators) that agents for more than 150 draft prospects -- roughly half of all combine invitees -- are now threatening to boycott: https://t.co/7Ajg1drbk4 https://t.co/KBOy4pBpZS
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 21, 2022

Given how closely players work with these personnel, the restrictions would put players at a disadvantage during a very busy weekend.

Agent for potential 1st overall selection Aidan Hutchison regarding the possible boycott of next month's NFL Combine... https://t.co/CLkEGevC5E
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 21, 2022

If the NFL and combine organizers don't ease those restrictions and a boycott takes place, many players will only participate in the medical evaluation portion of the event and won't work out for teams until their individual pro days, ESPN explained.

The NFLPA sent a memo on Sunday night in support of the boycott, advocating for the prospect's rights to have access to whomever they need during the grueling combine schedule.

The NFLPA just sent this memo to agents, reinforcing the union’s “long standing opposition to the NFL Scouting Combine” and expressing support for those who don’t attend in light of the “bubble” environment this year. pic.twitter.com/ktjv346B2J
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2022

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