2022 NFL draft mix: Brokers organizing boycott over ‘bubble’ restrictions, per report

Brokers representing greater than 150 NFL draft prospects are organizing a boycott of all testing, on-field exercises and interviews on the NFL mix in Indianapolis if “bubble” restrictions for this 12 months’s occasion aren’t modified, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The 2021 NFL Mix didn’t happen as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, and whereas it was to return this 12 months, as of now gamers are set to be confined to a “bubble.” The NFL laid out its restrictions in a memo this weekend. Many gamers will reportedly reply by boycotting the mix.

The bubble restrictions embody prospects being allowed only one “medical assist individual” who have to be absolutely vaccinated. The memo additionally states that gamers will probably be restricted to safe mix venues throughout their complete time in Indy, and that gamers who violate these insurance policies will probably be disqualified and despatched dwelling. 

Per Rapoport, gamers being denied entry to their full staff of coaches and trainers is a most important sticking level, and if the NFL doesn’t ease the deliberate restrictions, many high prospects will solely full medical evaluations at this 12 months’s mix.

CBS Sports activities NFL Insider Jonathan Jones wrote earlier this week about adjustments to the mix and the way they might result in gamers skipping the bench press. On Sunday, Jones added that adjustments might now result in gamers skipping the mix.

The NFLPA had despatched a letter to each agent earlier on Sunday denouncing the mix and its new restrictions:

“Now we have spoken to a number of brokers to bolster our lengthy standing opposition to the NFL Scouting Mix and agree and assist the choices by these to not attend. The mixture of the NFL’s proposed “bubble” and indisputable fact that we nonetheless have an antiquated system of each staff physician inspecting gamers and having them carry out but once more wants critical modification or elimination. Whereas we don’t signify these gamers we have now advocated for his or her rights to truthful remedy.

“Our union has at all times inspired gamers to take management of their careers from the very starting and we recognize that brokers are taking a look at methods to assist that objective.”