J.C. Tretter sees positives for players OTA negotiations
The Cleveland Browns and center J.C. Tretter are in a unique position together. Tretter the player is focused on what is best for the team, working together to beat every other team in the NFL. As the NFL Players’ Association president, Tretter is focused on what is best for all the players in the league.
Those two roles could come into conflict behind the scenes and lead to questioning from the media. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has already taken multiple questions related to Tretter and his roles and now, with mandatory minicamp starting, the player/president himself stepped up to answer questions.
One area that Tretter was asked about was what many deemed as “OTA boycotts” this offseason. “Again, I will say language is important. We never used the word ‘boycott,’” Tretter responded. “That was kind of used by other people. I do not think you can boycott a voluntary program.”
Tretter also noted that he sees it as a positive that the players were able to negotiate with their teams to see changes to offseason training activities that they wanted.
“I think you see that when these teams agreed to walkthroughs only, sandals for walkthroughs, no helmets, no competitive periods, less time on the field, no meetings, less meetings or canceled minicamps, those are all positive things for players,” he said. “I would say that is a win. The fact that over two-thirds of coaches kind of agreed that the normal offseason program was not necessary and they were willing to cancel weeks or change the tempo,” Tretter finished that statement talking about what he believed that meant about what the coaches thought as well.
As the Browns, and the NFL, move forward from OTAs, it will be interesting if Tretter’s two roles come into focus once again. For now, Tretter and the team are moving forward toward their goal of competing for a Super Bowl.
