The NFL is making its best effort to continue as usual with the 2020 season, but around the time of training camp, things aren’t off to a great start. No New York Giants members have tested positive for COVID-19, but two players have already opted out and the Giants aren’t the only team to have players leave so far.
The second opt out is Da’Mari Scott, a wide receiver whose absence won’t be significant to the Giants one way or another. Scott only has a couple of career receptions and previously bounced around between the Browns and Bills after going undrafted. It’s not the on the field impact that makes Scott’s withdrawal significant, though.
The current situation
While Nate Solder is the first player to opt out, Scott is the first one to do so without having a clear reason – at least a reason that’s visible to the public. Solder chose to opt out to protect the health of his son, while Scott is opting out for a reason that isn’t so clear and is joining a number of other players doing the same thing around the league.
Players opting out, such as Scott, is a trend going around the league rather than something exclusive to the Giants. Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley, Chiefs running back Damien Williams, eight players on the New England Patriots, and Packers receiver Devin Funchess are among those that opted out so far.
And Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has tested positive for the virus, which throws things into question for one of the teams in the Giants’ division. It’s only the offseason right now, after all. What’s going to happen is players and coaches around the league start coming down with the virus during the season?
We can all hope for the 2020 season to happen – after waiting through free agency and the draft, all of us want to see how the Giants actually do with their new look and new additions. However, the situation isn’t going to look good headed into the season if more personnel around the league come down with the virus and if more players opt out.
After all, the first thing needed to play the game is players and coaches, and replacing talent isn’t easy in a high level league such as the NFL.