Deshaun Watson threw again on Tuesday
The NFL is basically a 12-month sport at this point in time. Shortly after the Super Bowl, the ramp-up to the NFL draft begins with the NFL combine. There is a short break for the start of a wild NFL free agency before the final stretch to the NFL draft then teams return to the field.
Generally, there is a small break for teams, players, media and fans late in June through the July 4th holiday.
For the Cleveland Browns, OTAs continued on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. While media wasn’t in attendance we got a few videos.
Unlike last year, we have been given an idea of what the plan is for QB Deshaun Watson coming back from his major shoulder surgery. Given that recovery plan, it wasn’t a surprise to see Watson throwing passing again on Tuesday:
4️⃣s up @deshaunwatson | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/toDmkAtc5H
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 28, 2024
We also saw WR Elijah Moore on the field for the first time for voluntary activities. Here is catches a throw from Watson:
@deshaunwatson @e_moore03 pic.twitter.com/tX1RxYZfLd
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 28, 2024
While OTAs are ongoing, the NFLPA is reportedly in the process of seeking a revamped offseason that would limit any activity throughout the spring and have a longer training camp:
End of OTAs? The NFL Players Association is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as soon as 2025, eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up, with players reporting in mid-June to early July, per… pic.twitter.com/nQa9TmKCGO
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 28, 2024
The NBA and MLB have a similar structure as the one proposed. Instead of players coming and going throughout the offseason, they come together prior to the season and get ready to play.
There are good and bad aspects to the current setup and the plan the NFLPA is likely to propose this summer. Not only does the NFL like to keep fans’ attention throughout the spring but teams like to be able to check in on players and make sure they are doing well overall.
As with everything in collectively bargained professional sports leagues, everything is up for negotiations. If the players value this new plan, they are likely to have to give something up to the owners. There has been talk of an 18-game season since before the league moved from 16 to 17 games. Perhaps that is the trade-off that the owners propose for what the NFLPA wants.
Which do you think is better for the players and the product on the field: The current setup of multiple sessions throughout the spring or the one proposed by the NFLPA?
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