NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Lucas Niang, a third round pick in April’s draft out of TCU, is choosing to forego the 2020 season, citing concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak.
A four-year contract signed by Niang prior to the start of training camp will remain in place, with the years pushed back to 2021-2024 instead of 2020-2023. Niang is the third member of the Chiefs to opt out of the season, joining veteran offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and starting running back Damien Williams. Duvernay-Tardit will continue to help fight the pandemic as a doctor in his native Canada, while Williams cited a cancer battle being waged by his mother as the reason for the opt out.
The National Football League has ruled that, for those opting out, they will receive $350,000 if they have a medical need, while those sitting out without a medical need receive $150,000 as an advance on next year’s salary.
Photo credit – Michael Conroy / Associated Press / Fort Worth, TX
