The NFL preseason is roughly three months away. That doesn’t mean teams aren’t preparing now.
May marks the start of voluntary official team activities (OTAs) to help franchises prepare for the upcoming season and get recently-added players acclimated to their new surroundings. These low-impact practices are more of a table read for a sitcom script than a full dress rehearsal, generally serving as a way to unite a team rather than explore the depths of its playbook.
Some players will exercise the “voluntary” nature of these workouts and skip OTAs either for personal reasons or as part of a contract dispute. Missing early workouts isn’t a big deal on its own, but could set the stage for a protracted battle between a team and an unhappy star. Or it could just be a little extra rest for a veteran who knows the franchise inside and out.
These are the biggest names who are sitting out 2022 OTAs so far.
1
Tom Brady, Buccaneers
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Brady’s absence in the spring is no surprise; he’s been skipping OTAs for years now and called the workouts “too competitive” last spring. The seven-time Super Bowl champion showed up at team facilities earlier in May to acquaint himself with the team’s new additions. No one on the coaching staff seems to think the 22-year veteran is in need of extra reps this offseason.
2
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Rodgers won’t participate in Green Bay’s OTAs despite an overhauled receiving corps that swapped out Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling for Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Sammy Watkins. This marks the second-straight season he’ll miss the voluntary workouts, though the acrimony between team and player that helped lead to last year’s absence has been cleared up thanks to a contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in league history.
3
Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Norm Hall/Getty Images
Murray’s absence is part of a larger play to secure a lucrative contract extension. While he’s under contract through 2023, the former top overall pick is finally eligible to cash in on two Pro Bowl seasons. He’ll miss out on a chance to connect with new wideout Hollywood Brown, but securing a nine-figure deal before the regular season starts is a worthy priority for the young QB.
4
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Samuel’s future in San Francisco is murky. He reportedly requested a trade but could be angling toward a massive contract extension that pays him like AJ Brown in Philadelphia ($25 million annually) while reducing the damage he’s forced to take as a runner out of the backfield (86 carries in the regular season and playoffs last year). Sitting out spring workouts is a way to continue his push toward either a brighter future with the Niners or a place with a new franchise willing to meet his demands.
5
Jessie Bates, Cincinnati Bengals
AP Photo/Gary Landers
The Bengals franchise tagged Bates to prevent him from leaving as a free agent this offseason. They’ve been unable to sign him to a long-term extension, and as such the rising safety has decided to skip OTAs in hopes of expediting the process. Bates struggled through arguably his worst regular season as a pro last fall, but came on strong in the playoffs (two interceptions, six passes defensed) to help push Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl appearance since the 1980s.
6
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
AP Photo/David Richard
The Browns are so done with Mayfield that they traded three first round picks to acquire Deshaun Watson, who will almost certainly miss a significant chunk of the 2022 season thanks to 21 accusations of sexual misconduct in Texas. He’s requested a trade and has no future in Cleveland, making OTAs a pointless endeavor.
7
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Will Newton/Getty Images
Henry wasn’t present when Tennessee opened up its voluntary spring workouts. He missed half of the 2021 season due to a foot injury and wasn’t effective in the Titans’ playoff loss to the Bengals last winter. This may be a precautionary measure to ensure he’s well rested for a season in which he could see 20+ carries per game thanks to a depleted receiving corps.
8
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland franchise tagged Njoku in a somewhat surprising move, leading to former prized free agent pickup Austin Hooper’s release. The two sides have yet to work out a contract extension beyond 2022, leading to the tight end’s absence. Signs are pointing to a quick turnaround on a (fairly expensive for a guy with 60 catches the past three seasons) deal.
David Njoku skipping #Browns OTAs while he awaits a new deal, source says; 2 sides are very close on ave. of more than $13M, but guarantees are the holdup. Could get done this week https://t.co/73TvLZOEhq
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 25, 2022
