Former Florida DL becomes first NFL player to take 'high-risk' opt-out plan for 2020 season

The NFL is allowing players to “opt out” of the 2020 season if they don’t feel safe participating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of players have already taken the league up on that offer, but on Monday, a former Florida defensive lineman became the first player to do so under the “high risk” clause.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Washington Football Team DE Caleb Brantley will be paid a $350,000 stipend and have his contract roll over to next season:

Washington DE Caleb Brantley is the first NFL player to take the "high risk" opt out, per the transaction wire.

Brantley, who played in one game last season, gets a $350,000 stipend with no offset and an accrued/credited season. His contract tolls.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 27, 2020

That makes 7 players who have currently decided to opt out of the season, according to Alex Kozora on Twitter:

The seven:

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (KC)
De'Anthony Thomas (BAL)
Chance Warmack (SEA)
Caleb Brantley (WSH)
Marcus Cannon (NE)
Danny Vitale (NE)
Najee Toran (NE)

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) July 27, 2020

Brantley was a Round 6 pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He signed with the Washington team in 2018 but missed almost all of the 2019 season with an injury.

Now, he’ll have a chance to come back at full speed in 2021.