Top Patriots Opting Out Of 2020 NFL Season Due To Coronavirus

Four veteran Patriots who have each won multiple Super Bowls with New England are among those sitting out of a potential 2020 NFL season.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, offensive lineman Marcus Cannon and running back Brandon Bolden will join fullback Danny Vitale and offensive lineman Najee Toran in opting out of the season, according to several reports Tuesday morning. More players could announce their intentions to miss the season as veterans are expected to report to Gillette Stadium Tuesday for COVID-19 testing.

Hightower, a longtime stalwart of the defense, became a father this month. Cannon, who has been one of the most consistent presences on the line, is a cancer survivor. Each, along with Chung, have won three Super Bowls in New England.

Bolden has won two.

High-risk players like Cannon who opt out due to COVID-19 can receive $350,000 this season. Other players can receive $150,000.

Whether a NFL season ever takes place remains to be seen. This week's MLB scare that saw an outbreak on the Miami Marlins that postponed two games Monday night cast doubt on the plausibility of a pro sports league successfully carrying out a season in which teams travel from city to city.

The NFL plans on playing a 2020 season and has already released a full schedule. Many of the players have accused the league of having no plan for their safety.