Could Major NFL Stars Sit Out Due To COVID Concerns?

• The NFL is preparing for its teams to report to training camp this week, while some major stars express concern over the coronavirus.
• Patrick Mahomes, JJ Watt, and Russell Wilson took to Twitter to voice their worries over the league's safety precautions.
• Betting odds on the Super Bowl could see major swings if players sit out.

LAS VEGAS – The NFL is inching one step closer to the return of football this week as players and teams return to their facilities for the beginning of training camp.

While the whole world is excited and hopeful for the possible return of football, many NFL stars are continuing to voice their concern over playing during the current pandemic.

While the NFL has instituted an extensive safety overhaul in order to maximize social distancing and stop the virus as much as possible, many players are still balancing their decision to put themselves and their families at risk.

The players are complaining about a variety of issues, notably the lack of information the league is providing them.

Here is JJ Watt giving a list of the current lack of information in the league.

Once again in the interest of keeping everyone (players & fans) as informed as possible, here is an updated list of what we as players know and don’t know as the first group gets set to report to training camp tomorrow.#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/xQcjs33zgM

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 19, 2020

Watt is a known voice amongst the players and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. However, the current situations have even the more reserved players taking the podium.

I am concerned.
My wife is pregnant.@NFL Training camp is about to start..

And there’s still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety. 🤷🏾

We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson presents a more concerning message.

One of the personal dangers that he would be forcing his family to risk. Wilson also opens a dangerous thread of thought. What if some of the biggest players in the league choose to sit out the season?

Wilson is already one of the best in the league and would have a huge impact if he elected not to play.

Wilson is currently third in the race for NFL MVP prop betting, a number that would change dramatically if he was no longer in the picture.

At the top of that list is Kansas City Chiefs’ QB and defending Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, who also has shared his fears over the NFL’s safety guidelines.

Getting ready to report this week hoping the @NFL will come to agreement with the safe and right protocols so we can feel protected playing the sport we love #WeWantToPlay

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 19, 2020

It remains to be seen how the league will react if, or when, a player gets infected. While the tested will be constant, there is so much that is unknown in terms of the exact procedure.

Stay tuned to the news wire over the coming weeks as the NFL pandemic situation continues to develop.