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Yesterday, the NFL released its offseason workout program schedule, setting the stage for the NFL offseason to officially kick off with more on-field activity.
The schedule is broken down into phases with the first phase of activities already underway, starting from April 19 to May 14 for phase one, lasting four weeks for activities limited to strength and conditioning, virtual meetings, and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase two will last from May 17-21, while phase three lasts from May 24-June 18 with increasing activity progressively as the offseason continues.
During Phase three teams will be able to conduct in-person meetings and classroom instruction subject to COVID-19 testing cadence, tracking facility access and other protocols. It will be during that phase when OTAs will begin, but no live contact will be permitted.
In total, the offseason program will last nine weeks and is completely voluntary except one mandatory minicamp for veteran players that will occur during Phase three.
The Jaguars schedule is as follows:
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 24, May 26-27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-10
Mandatory Minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie Minicamp: May 14-16
On May 14, the Jaguars will be able to get its first look at rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the team’s rookies. This will be important to watch due to the questions of health surrounding at least three of the team’s rookies including Lawrence, who is still recovering from offseason left shoulder surgery.
At his introductory press conference last week, Lawrence stated that he is expected to be back whenever the team gets started.
“Health-wise, I’m feeling really good,” said Lawrence. “I don’t know what percentage I’d be, I don’t even know how to gauge that, but I’m on track. I’m actually a little ahead of schedule, so I’m expecting to be back whenever we get started.”
This will also kickstart the team’s rookie football development program, which will last for a period of seven weeks.
The program is simply a way for rookies to become acclimated with the league and club, giving them resources that weren’t afforded to them prior to becoming a member of an NFL franchise.
During offseason workouts, teams get better acclimated with its players, which will be a very important time for new Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer who has yet to officially conduct in-person meetings with his team, allowing him to meet all members of the franchise.