Packers: Devin Funchess opts out of the 2020 season

Packers receiver Devin Funchess has opted out of the 2020 season.

The Green Bay Packers will have to wait to see wide receiver Devin Funchess in action.

The team’s free-agent signing has opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Funchess is the Packers’ first player to opt out of the season.

Funchess explained his decision to opt out on Instagram, writing that “family is first”.

Funchess is Packers’ first player to opt out

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, players have the choice to opt out of the 2020 season. Many players across the league have decided not to play this season, but Funchess is the first Packers player to do so.

The Packers signed Funchess to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the team will have the chance to retain Funchess on the same contract in 2021. We could still see Funchess catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, but it won’t be this season.

After a breakout season in 2019, Allen Lazard will likely enter the new season as the number two wide receiver, and the team will also need contributions from Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

It’s also possible that GM Brian Gutekunst could look to sign a free agent wide receiver such as Taylor Gabriel, or even look at possible trades to get some more wide receiver help. But it’s also possible Gutekunst is happy with the current depth chart.

Two other players in the NFC North have also opted out. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Chicago Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce have both opted out.

Over the next few days, there will likely be more players across the league opting out of the season due to COVID-19.