The NFL Players Association announced Friday the union’s executive committee voted to unanimously recommend the changes to the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
The approval, which still requires a vote of union representatives, seemingly opens the door for teams to set their training camp practice schedules.
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The move comes as rookies, quarterbacks and injured players around the NFL have reported to training facilities for the first round of testing for the coronavirus. Coaches, such as the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, have been eager about learning the rules for training camp this summer after offseason programs were canceled due to COVID-19.
The acclimation period for NFL teams will consist of eight days of strength and conditioning, as well as meetings and on-field walk-through practices, according to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones. Each team can conduct a maximum of 14 days in pads, beginning on Aug. 17.
Teams must cut their training camp rosters from 90 to 80 by Aug. 16, Jones reported. Teams also are allowed to carry 16 players on their practice squads during the regular season, including six veteran players with unlimited experience.
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One of the major areas that required the sides to reach an agreement was with the salary cap for future seasons.
Due to expected losses in revenues this season, there was the possibility the salary cap could drop dramatically in 2021 from an all-time high of $198.2 million per team this year. The sides agreed to a salary floor of $175 million next year, Jones reported. The losses in the cap will be “smoothed, according to Jones, through the 2023 season.
Players have the right to opt out of this season within the next 10 days. The sides have allowed for an undisclosed stipend for players who choose not to play in 2020, according to Jones' report.