Report: NFL expected to make big concession amid boycott rumors

In light of a report circling that there would be a boycott of the NFL combine, new information has just been released on the restrictions players are expected to experience at the camp. NFL reporter Jonathan Jones says that sources close to the situation believe that restrictions will be eased for the upcoming NFL combine.

“It’s expected the combine, led by the National Invitational Camp, will ease its restrictions on player movement next week in Indy. “Restricted areas” will remain, but players very likely will be able to do what they want in their down time per source,” wrote Jones via Twitter.

Sunday night a report surfaced that the NFL may be facing a potential boycott of the combine organized by NFL agents demanding policy changes. The boycott stems from a report that future NFL players are seeking major changes to the NFL’s “bubble” restrictions. The NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled to begin on Mar. 1. And with this new report coming out, it is likely to lessen the chances of a boycott of the annual NFL event.

NFL Combine facing boycott

“Agents representing more than 150 draft prospects are organizing a boycott of all testing, on-field workouts and interviews at next month’s NFL scouting combine if heavy ‘bubble’ restrictions aren’t changed,” stated NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday.

The threat of a boycott comes barely more than a week before the NFL Scouting Combine is set to begin, and could potentially disrupt the NFL’s offseason greatly. The NFL Draftees appear to be unhappy with the conditions set by the NFL for this year’s combine, to be held in Indianapolis. The NFL altered this year’s combine in a number of ways, including allowing no in-person workouts at the combine. They will instead take place during college pro days, and all interviews and psychological tests will be held virtually with limitations to in-person medical exams.

“Unless the NFL and the combine agree to ease those restrictions — allowing players access to their full team of coaches, trainers, ATCs et al. as in past years — many top prospects will only do medical evaluations next month in Indianapolis,” added Rapoport.

The NFL also previously sent a memo clarifying their changes to the combine, which detailed their ban on private workouts and facility visits.

“The presence of a college player at a club’s facility is prohibited, even if the player has been invited by a current NFL player,” read an official NFL memo on the changes. “If a college player appears at a club’s facility, he should be advised that his presence is prohibited by NFL rules and should be requested to leave immediately. A violation of this type will subject the involved club and club employee to appropriate penalties under the League’s anti-tampering policy.”