The Cleveland Browns are among many teams whose players chose to not participate in the initial offseason voluntary workouts. That decision was made at the behest of the NFLPA, whose president is Browns center JC Tretter.
Acting as the payer’s union president, Tretter spoke to the media on Monday as part of a scheduled NFLPA conference call. Tretter said he’s talked directly with Browns GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski about the rest of the offseason program leading into training camp. The NFLPA, and Tretter, continue to lobby for an all-virtual offseason.
“I’ve spoken with both Kevin and Andrew about the offseason program,” Tretter said. “They saw our statement that we wouldn’t be participating in it and that our goal, just like the union’s, is that we think it would be best if we had an all-virtual program. We think that’s the safest, best way to do it.”
The Browns have not yet commented publicly on the concept of having an all-virtual offseason, which was done last year due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Tretter noted that games lost to injuries were down 23 percent in 2020 despite the lack of the in-person offseason programs and he and the union want that trend to continue.
