Key Defensive Player For The Bills In 2019 Opts Out Of The 2020 Season

This upcoming NFL season is already looking vastly different from any other we've seen in our lifetimes.

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There's no preseason -- that was taken out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, no fans or extremely limited amount of fans will be allowed to attend home games across the league. Now, players have the option to opt-out of the 2020 season.

One Bills player has decided to take that option.

According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei has decided to opt-out of the 2020 season.

Lotulelei had $4.5 million guaranteed in 2020 and $2.5 million guaranteed next season. This will push those numbers to 2021 and 2022. Under the agreement by the NFL and NFLPA, any player that opts out before the August 3rd deadline will receive a $150,000 stipend and $350,000 if he's deemed "high-risk."

Once a player opts out, they cannot opt back in.

Lotuleli was a regular contributor to the 2019 Bills team that went 10-6. There's more depth at the position this season, so it was unclear how many snaps Star would've gotten in 2020, but it's a big loss nonetheless.

Just in the past 24 hours, SIX New England Patriots players have decided to opt-out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. The majority are key players on the Patriots, including starting safety Patrick Chung.

We could still have more Bills players opting out of the 2020 season before August 3rd.

The only players that will likely opt out of the season are ones who are starters or key backups, with their roster spots solidified. New England was dealt a serious blow today with its 2020 roster.

If for some reason the season is canceled, then opting out is a good option as the money a player makes in 2020 rolls over to 2021...