Chiefs Teammates React to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif's Decision to Opt Out of 2020 Season

Kansas City Chiefs right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has received praise on social media after announcing his decision to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season.

Duvernay-Tardif declared his choice hours after the league and player’s association agreed to amend the collective bargaining agreement.

The deal includes two forms of opt-outs, according to NFL Network Reporter Tom Pelissero.

Details on two types of opt-outs, which are irrevocable and due 7 days from NFL-NFLPA deal being finalized:

- High risk: $350,000 stipend with no offset, accrued/credited season

- Voluntary: $150,000 salary advance, no accrued/credited season

Either way, contract tolls.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 24, 2020

Duvernay-Tardif voluntarily chose to opt-out to continue serving on the COVID-19 front lines. He is the first player to forgo the season.

A handful of Duevernay-Tardif’s teammates, both current and former, responded to the decision on Twitter and in press conferences.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the first to tweet his support. It was retweeted by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.

Gonna miss my brother in locker room , but I love this move ❤️ https://t.co/QABgoRZWod
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) July 25, 2020

Linebacker Anthony Hitchens, defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and safety Tyrann Mathieu expressed similar thoughts.

I respect it !! https://t.co/NjogMHCjF6
— Anthony Hitchens (@AnthonyHitchens) July 25, 2020

Honorable man right here. 😤 https://t.co/LGtQLEZEo9
— Tanoh Kpassagnon (@Passinyo) July 25, 2020

More Glory!!! Wow!! 💯🙏 https://t.co/7xBGipHhjc
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 25, 2020

Former Chiefs offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Geoff Schwartz left their own individual salutes.

Allen shared the O-Line room with Duevernay-Tardif between 2014-‘15 and 2018-‘19. Allen was waved last October, but still had positivity to spread for his former teammate.

Much respect Doc! https://t.co/rPdbXzZes8
— Cookie Expert (@JeffAllen71) July 25, 2020

Schwartz played in Kansas City in 2013, a year before Duevernay-Tardif was drafted. Schwartz’ brother, Mitchell, has been a Chief since 2015.

The indirect relationship was good enough for the tip of a hat.

https://t.co/3Bl8gReGlO pic.twitter.com/l8vip9WHpq
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) July 25, 2020

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes discussed LDT's opt-out in Saturday's press conference with the media and said Duvernay-Tardif's choice was a surprise, but that he respected the decision.

Mahomes says LDT has mindset to make the world a better place and his actions reflect that, says teammates back his decision 100 percent
— Vahe Gregorian (@vgregorian) July 25, 2020

Head Coach Andy Reid also spoke to the media and said he wasn't surprised by the move, since he knows Duvernay-Tardif and how he thinks about protecting others.

Andy Reid on LDT opting out: "I think it's tremendous dedication to his profession ... and mainly to the people that he gets to help." Said he had a great talk with him, LDT has the total support of coaches and players, discussed being raised by his mother, who was a doctor.
— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) July 25, 2020

Reid on LDT, refers to own mother as doctor (who in fact went to same school, McGill) and notes they are givers and healers, speaks with great admiration. Says he is “so happy and proud” of him and his decision
— Vahe Gregorian (@vgregorian) July 25, 2020

Duvernay-Tardif will make $150,000 this season under protections connected to the opt-out. He was scheduled to take up $7.5 million in cap space this season.

The sum moves to next year’s salary cap, according to Yahoo! Sports Senior NFL Reporter Terez Paylor.

More information on Duevernay-Tardif's opt-out is available here.