Cornerback Jaire Alexander and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins didn't attend organized team activities (OTAs), and it was not a surprise for the Green Bay Packers. For different reasons, it made sense that both players would skip voluntary workouts.
Jaire is in the middle of contract negotiations that could mean an adjustment, a trade, or even a release from the Packers. Meanwhile, Jenkins wants an adjustment on his own contract before moving from guard to center. Both players have two years left on their deals, but no guarantees are left.
Now, the situation becomes a little more extreme next week, when the Packers have the mandatory minicamp from June 10-12. As the name says, this is a mandatory part of the offseason, and players who don't attend practice are subject to fines.
The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman reported that Alexander is expected to attend minicamp, and the implications for not doing it would be significant.
Mandatory minicamp
Unexcused failure to report to or unexcused departure from mandatory offseason minicamp generates a maximum fine of $17,462 for the first missed day, $34,925 for the second missed day, and $52,381 for the third missed day. A player who misses all three days of minicamp would be fined up to $104,768. Because the Packers usually excuse players from the third day of minicamp, the total fine for two days would be $52,387. These fines are mandatory, unless the absence is excused by the team beforehand.
Training camp
Unexcused late reporting or absence from training camp by a player under contract means a mandatory fine of $50,000 per day.
Preseason games
The player is fined the amount of a week paycheck determined by his base salary.
Salary cap implications
Unlike unearned workout bonuses that eventually get credited back to the team's practice squad, fines don't return as money for the team to spend again. The amount of money generated in fines goes to a fund for former NFL players. So, fines don't have any cap implications.
Jaire Alexander ($700k) and Elgton Jenkins ($500k) had a combined $1.2 million in workout bonuses, and that amount will get credited back to the Packers' salary cap next year. However, both players skipping mandatory minicamp and/or training camp would be a lose-lose situation.