NFL’s COVID gauntlet...[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]
by Matt Verderame
https://fansided.com/2021/06/21/nfl-covid-vaccines-tua-tagovailoa-struggles/ 
On Wednesday, the NFL released a memo detailing the experience for unvaccinated players compared to those who are. It’s going to shape the season.

It’s every NFL player’s choice to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.

It’s also the NFL and NFLPA’s choice to make their lives as difficult as possible.

For players hesitant to get vaccinated, they got a healthy shove in the scientifically recommended direction on Wednesday, when the league and union joined forces on what amounts to an edict.

In short, vaccinated players won’t be subjected to masks, daily testing, quarantines or social distancing. Additionally, there are no limits for them in the weight room, cafeteria or road settings. Conversely, unvaccinated players will continue much as they did in 2020, while essentially being kept in their rooms during road trips.

The NFL and NFLPA are clear: get vaccinated, or play the 2021 season as an outcast.

“This gives me further ammunition to tell my guys to get vaccinated,” said one veteran agent who spoke to FanSided on the condition of anonymity. “Do you really want to be the guy who can’t be near anyone? Do you want to be in the corner by yourself while everyone else is eating together or in meetings? I think they’d say ‘no, I want to get vaccinated.'”

Talking to three different agents, the spring has been different for each.

While the aforementioned agent is working to get his players educated and informed, another feels it’s not his place, leaving it up to the teams. However, a third agent with a legion of clients tells FanSided it has become a “huge issue” among his players.

Through text, he also expressed concern for players trying to make clubs in tryouts. The source believes if the player isn’t vaccinated, he won’t get a look. It’s an underrated point, as many clubs won’t want to risk bringing anybody into their building who could unknowingly be carrying the virus.

Furthermore, players on a roster’s edge who decline vaccination might find themselves released if they’re fighting for a spot with a player who has gotten the job.

“I can’t say that it won’t happen,” one source said of the potential scenario. “If you’re a general manager doing the calculus and it’s a close enough call between two guys, both will equally help win and lose at the same position, then of course, why not take the vaccinated guy? It’s less risk.”

While the NFL memo has been seen as harsh in some corners — hello, Cole Beasley — that’s the point. The league can’t and won’t explicitly demand players be vaccinated (that could change if the Food and Drug Administration fully approves the vaccine) but with these guidelines, is trying to force hands.

“I still think 20 percent will be unvaccinated (at the start of the season),” said one agent. “You’re talking about a population that’s young and mostly thinks it’s invincible. That’s why part of these measures are so severe. These guys are young, mostly in good health and think they’re invincible. Why bother to get the shot when I catch a cold and be done with it?”

However, the agent continued to say peer pressure and the avoidance of daily hassles, mainly constant testing, could be the largest motivating factors to sway opinion.

“If 80 percent are vaccinated, the 20 percent is 14 guys,” one source said, speaking of a full team roster including practice squad members. “Do you want to be in the 14 guys who have to do everything separate or the 56 who do everything together? I think that’s going to be very powerful. Plus, if you don’t get vaccinated you have to get tested everyday.”

With the stated goal being 85 percent vaccination on each team, the league is lagging. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, only half of the 32 teams have even reached the 50 percent threshold as of Wednesday.

While the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins are already at the vaccination threshold, the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals are struggling mightily, per The Washington Post.

Keeping up on team-wide vaccination rates is going to be a key competent to competitive balance this season. Clubs with more players at risk have a greater chance of enduring a wave of COVID cases and outbreaks. Unlike last year, when the NFL showed great flexibility with its schedule, the league is likely going to take a more hard-line stance with options to mitigate the spread readily available.

Ultimately, every player will make his choice.

The NFL loudly made its, sending the strongest of messages.