Free agent offensive guard Larry Warford, a three-time Pro Bowler, has opted out of the 2020 NFL season as he looks to start a family.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared this breaking news on Monday. He noted that Warford has received multiple offers and will continue to train as he revisits playing in 2021.
Warford, 29, is a former third-round pick out of Kentucky. He has started 101 games since the 2013 campaign, playing four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and three more with the Detroit Lions.
List of NFL players opting out of 2020 NFL season
There are two categories of players who can opt out of the 2020 NFL season. There are voluntary opt-outs, which is what Warford qualifies for. They will take home $150,000 this year. Then there are high-risk opt-outs, who qualify to take home $350,000 in 2020.
Here’s a look at the current list of voluntary opt-outs, per NFL.com:
- Baltimore Ravens: KR De’Anthony Thomas, OL Andre Smith
- Buffalo Bills: DT Star Lotulelei
- Dallas Cowboys: CB Maurice Canady, WR Stephen Guidry
- Houston Texans: DT Eddie Vanderdoes
- Kansas City Chiefs: OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
- New England Patriots: LB Dont’a Hightower, FB Dan Vitale, RB Brandon Bolden, OL Najee Toran
- New Orleans Saints: TE Cole Wick
- Seattle Seahawks: OL Chance Warmack
- Tennessee Titans: OL Anthony McKinney
Here are the high-risk opt-outs:
- Minnesota Vikings: DT Michael Pierce
- New England Patriots: OL Marcus Cannon
- Washington Football Team: DE Caleb Brantley
There is a third group at this time, which includes players who have unspecified opt-outs:
- Chicago Bears: DT Eddie Goldman
- Denver Broncos: DT Kyle Peko
- New England Patriots: S Patrick Chung
- New York Jets: OL Leo Koloamatangi
- Philadelphia Eagles: WR Marquise Goodwin
At this time, the adjusted CBA negotiated between the NFL and NFLPA is still not officially done. So the deadline for players opting out of the 2020 NFL season will be seven days after that is completed.
We’re sure to see many more players opting out before that deadline arrives.