5 NFL Teams Hurt Most By Opt-Outs

As America continues its ongoing battle with Covid-19, the sports industry has attempted its comeback. Individual sports were first, with Golf's PGA Tour and UFC taking the spotlight, but now team sports have entered the fray. Certain leagues have had almost flawless testing results so far, the NHL chief among them playing out their playoff bracket in Canadian "bubbles," and the NBA not far behind (also in a bubble). Even the MLS and WSL have had some success. By far the most controversial league so far has been the MLB, which has been hit hard by positive tests, causing naysayers to criticize baseball's strategy (no bubble, allowed teams to travel). The NFL will attempt a similar strategy as the MLB, and some fans and reporters are already anxious about the contact-sports' chances.

They aren't the only ones either. The NFL allowed players to forfeit their contracts by choosing to opt-out of the 2020 season, and 67 players elected to do so, receiving either a $150,000 or $350,000 stipend in most cases depending on the athlete's level of risk. So which big names opted out? And which teams were hurt most with the opt-out deadline now past?

Top 5 Teams Effected By Opt-Outs

Honorable Mentions:

Arizona Cardinals- Right tackle Marcus Gilbert could have been a troublesome loss, but Arizona had their bases covered by drafting Josh Jones and signing Kelvin Beachum.

Miami Dolphins- Two wide receiver weapons for Tua Tagovailoa (or Fitz) dropped out, Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns, but neither is irreplaceable.

Chicago Bears- Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman is a large loss on the D-front, literally.

Green Bay Packers- The Cheeseheads did nothing to address their deficiency at wide receiver, well, except sign Devin Funchess and hope for a bounce-back season. Turns out he won't have one, because he won't be playing.

Jacksonville Jaguars- You could argue that the Jags should be in the top five, they lost three veterans (Al Woods, Rashaan Melvin and Lerentee McCray) on the defensive side, two of which were likely to start. I disagree, being that I believe Jacksonville's 2020 goal is to obtain the first overall pick. These opt-outs should help them do so, plus these vets have no place in the Jags' future anyway.

5. New York Giants

The Giants will be without Nate Solder in 2020, which could add unwanted turbulence for Daniel Jones. Photo: Al Bello, Getty Images

The G-Men almost made it through the opt-out period relatively unscathed, up until veteran offensive tackle Nate Solder announced his decision. The 2019 left tackle's reasons were totally justified, with cancer plaguing his family multiple times in the past, but no matter the reason second-year quarterback Daniel Jones may now be forced to rely on two rookie offensive tackles. First rounder Andrew Thomas was expected to start either way, but now third rounder Matt Peart may also be forced to sink or swim. This could severely hurt Jones' development, who already has a history of fumbling the football. Big Blue also loses needed depth at cornerback with Sam Beal choosing to opt-out. Remember, the Giants CB room already took a hit as Deandre Baker could face jail time.

Runner Up: The Denver Broncos are in a really similar situation as the Giants with right tackle Ja'Wuan James taking the season off, and second-year QB Drew Lock at the helm. Either team could choose to sign a veteran like Donald Penn or Demar Dotson in free agency (with some of the cap space recovered from their opt-outs), but none of the free agent options left out there are too appealing. The Broncos do have a few more options than NYG with depth at guard.

4. New York Jets

If C.J. Mosley's first season in New York wasn't frustrating enough for Jets fans, he'll now sit out year two. Photo: Ron Chenoy

The other team representing the Big Apple took a few hits of their own. Most notably, star middle linebacker C.J. Mosley elected to opt-out, but wide receiver Josh Doctson and offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi joined him. It's fair to mention that these three players factored in a total of one and a half games for the Jets in 2019. Doctson was not with the team (although NYJ could use all the options at wide receiver they can get), Koloamatangi never played a snap, and Mosley spent almost the entire season on the Injured Reserve. With Jamal Adams traded away, it would have certainly been nice to get Mosley back (don't get me wrong), but if the Jets have extensive depth at any one position it's middle linebacker. Avery Williamson is healthy, Patrick Onwuasor joined the group in free agency, and players like Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman and James Burgess all proved they could fill the void in 2019 if needed. Still, Mosley is one of the biggest stars to sit out period, so the Jets have to be on this list. If they use some of the money recovered to bring in a veteran like Logan Ryan or Jadeveon Clowney however, this could end up being a positive swing for New York... I also expect Demaryius Thomas to re-sign as Docton's replacement.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

OG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first NFL player to opt-out. Photo: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Chiefs' guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first NFL player to opt-out (his reasoning should be noted as honorable, Tardif decided his talents working as a doctor would be far more important during the pandemic than his ability on the football field), and Kansas City wasted no time replacing him. The Chiefs quickly snatched up veteran guard Kelechi Osemele, who is returning from an injury bust season with the Jets. They also lost rookie tackle Lucas Niang and starting running back Damien Williams. In 2020, both Niang and Williams might have been back-ups (considering the Chiefs drafted running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of the first round), so neither loss is too crucial towards KC's odds of repeating. Even so, three big-name players is a larger loss than most NFL teams, and who knows if Osemele is fit and ready to start on that Chiefs O-Line. His track record hasn't exactly been one of reliability in recent seasons. Niang also loses an important year of development. Tackle depth is obviously key in protecting Patrick Mahomes long-term, and left tackle Eric Fisher was not great in 2019. There isn't much OL talent on this roster outside of Mitchell Schwartz, that's worrisome. I still expect the Chiefs to pick up a veteran running back to pair with C.E.H., possibly even Devonta Freeman.

2. Minnesota Vikings

Never a great feeling when your one big free agent signing decides not to play (Michael Pierce). Photo: USA Today

The Vikes did not do much in free agency aside from letting veterans walk. General manager Rick Spielman's strategy was clear, rebuild Minnesota's roster with a long list 2020 of draft picks, and most analysts would tell you he did so with an impressive haul on draft weekend. Still, the one key linchpin of free agency for the Vikings was the signing of defensive tackle Michael Pierce. He was also the franchise's lone opt-out. Minnesota already plans to start many rookies on defense, and now they have a glaring hole up the middle. To make matters worse, the Vikings acted quickly to claim Raiders' bust DT P.J. Hall, but the trade fell through when Hall failed his physical. Minnesota may still try and bring back Everson Griffen or bring in another body at defensive tackle, but for now they will likely start some combination of Shamar Stephen, Anthony Zettel, Jaleel Johnson and Ifeadi Odenigbo on the D-Line beside star Danielle Hunter... YUCK!

1. New England Patriots

Patriots Dont'a Hightower may go down as the biggest opt-out of 2020. Photo: New England Patriots

As I joked with some Boston friends, do you really believe this many Patriots would have opted out if Tom Brady was making one last run at another Super Bowl? What's wrong Pats' teammates, no confidence in Cam Newton? Others joked that this is all part of Bill Belichick's master plan to draft Trevor Lawrence, but I'm afraid the Jacksonville Jaguars already hold that honor. Let's be honest, the minute Bill B. signed Cam, he admitted that he wants to win in 2020. The opt-out period was a massive slap in the face of those plans. Eight total players opted out for New England, I would say five of those players were influential pieces. The most crucial opt-out was obviously linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Not only is Hightower a major part of this defense, he's a team leader who has helped this dynasty win a ton of football games. With LB's Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts all gone in free agency, this was the worst time to lose Hightower's experience. Veteran right tackle Marcus Cannon is another big blow. There are not many tackle replacements available at this stage of free agency, and with Isaiah Wynn's unproven longevity at left tackle, the Pats are thin on the outside of the O-Line yet again. They currently have Korey Cunningham slated to start opposite Wynn. Marqise Lee and Matt Lacosse were not key players, but they were thin positions for New England (WR and TE), making both opt-outs notable. To round out; fullback Danny Vitale and RB/special teamer Brandon Bolden are replaceable, along with OL Najee Toran, and I actually feel the final opt-out Patrick Chung (SS) may be a blessing in disguise. Rookie Kyle Dugger should outplay Chung anyway, although this does further prolong his contract if the Pats do plan on rebuilding. On the bright side, Belichick now has a good deal of cap space to play with. The question is whether he'll use it, and if so, on who?

The full list of NFL Opt-Outs via CBS Sports.