Should unvaccinated players on COVID-19 reserve in 2021 receive their game checks?
Getty Images  In 2020, players who missed one or more games due to placement on the COVID-19 reserve list received their game checks, regardless of whether they caught the virus at work or away from it. A persuasive argument could be made to withhold game checks if players who choose not to be vaccinated miss work due to a condition for which a vaccine exists. Yes, its the players right to decide whether he should be vaccinated. Its ultimately a matter for negotiation between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Although management and labor have decided that vaccines wont be mandatory, real incentives to get vaccinated have been crafted by the two sides. The approach seems fair. With team facilities generally safer than other places  especially if high percentages of players are vaccinated  theres no reason to assume that anyone who gets it this year got it at work. If anything, its far more likely that whoever ends up getting it this year got it away from work. With the salary cap roughly $25 million per team lower than it was expected to be this year, every dollar saved by not giving it to players who choose not to be vaccinated and then, because of that status, arent allowed to play becomes a dollar earned for next years cap. Thats definitely fair to the players who have chosen to get vaccinated, and who in turn will be available to play regardless of any COVID-19 developments. This possibility creates a real conundrum for those who inexplicably have allowed matters relating to COVID-19 to become and remain political. Those inclined to shout down vaccination separately tend to adhere to the basic logic that people shouldnt be paid money to which they arent entitled and that every dollar received must be earned through actual work. However the question gets resolved, its a fair question to ask  and its a fair position to take that players who choose not to assume whatever remote risks there may be from getting the vaccination must instead assume the risk of not getting paid for games they cant play, due to testing positive with COVID-19 or having close contact with someone who did.