Bedard: Now that the CBA tweaks are done, Patriots & other teams know ground rules for 2020 season

The NFL and NFLPA have finally agreed to the adjustments to the CBA for the 2020 season, which means the ground rules are basically set for an NFL season unlike any other. A look at the major points, and then we'll get into some thoughts on them:

• A player can be moved to the Covid-19 list up until 4 p.m. the day before a game, and the team can sign a player in any manner until then (but the player is going to have to come from the practice squad since outside players have to test for four days). A player can be swapped for a practice squad player up until 90 minutes before kickoff.

• Players will get an accrued season if they are on the reserve lists, including Covid-19, in Week 1.

• Teams can contest a player receiving a football-related injury designation (including Covid-19) if they deemed the player to have taken part in "high-risk Covid-19 conduct."

• High-risk conduct includes (unless player is wearing PPE and less than 10 people there): indoor clubs, indoor bar (other than to pick up food), house gatherings of more than 15 people, indoor concert, a professional sporting event, attending any event prohibited by local laws.

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• If a player tests positive in the pre-entry testing period, he can't be cut.

• Players may request housing from the team due to high-risk people in their dwelling on or before Week 1 of the season.

• Players may be fined up to $50,000 for refusing to be tested. It may be increased to fine/suspension for up to four weeks.

• Fines, without warning, for refusing to wear masks, the proximity tracking device and social distancing.

• Behavior prohibitions go for all Tier 1 or 2 team personnel, including coaches.

• Players can only opt-out after the 4 p.m. Thursday deadline with a new high-risk diagnosis, or a family member has a Covid-19-related situation.

• The contract of a player who opts out will now toll in its entirety, including bonus proration.

• Player benefits will decrease by $17 million per team. Taken off the books for this year: second career savings plan, annuity, severance pay, performance-based pay, tuition assistance, playoff bye week pay, and Pro Bowl pay (unless Pro Bowl is played).

• Practice squads: 16 players with up to six having no limit on accrued seasons; protect up to four each Tuesday.

• Starting 4 p.m. ET Sept. 6, unlimited players can return from injured reserve, after three weeks.

BSJ ANALYSIS

• Nothing super unexpected here, outside of the bonus proration being taken off the books. That means the Patriots automatically gain about $10 million in cap space and now have about $36 million total (third-highest in the league).

The Patriots need to fill a few holes on the roster, namely veterans at tight end, tackle and linebacker, but largely I don't think this suddenly means they'll start throwing money around.

New England will most likely wait and see how the season plays out. If it looks good that the season will reach its conclusion and the Patriots think they have a shot at the Super Bowl, they might think about a trade deadline deal to solidify the team.

If not, it can't be understated how much cap space in 2021 is going to be of value, when the cap could drop at least $23 million. Several teams will be in trouble, and there will be a flood of talent available for teams that save every nickel this season, and roll over their surplus to 2021.

• I am fascinated by the practice squad and the ability to have six players without any limits on service time. That means a player like Brian Hoyer, a veteran tackle like LaAdrian Waddle (if signed), a special teamer like Justin Bethel — players who wouldn't have a lot of value elsewhere so they wouldn't be snatched up quickly — could stay in the building and on-call, and could be ready to play at a moment's notice should someone test positive for Covid-19. For a team that will need every roster spot like the Patriots, especially offensively, that could be a way to stash someone for emergency purposes.

• Losing performance-based pay is large for many players, especially young players that were late-round picks or undrafted free agents. The Patriots routinely have several players earn more money in this program. Ted Karras, J.C. Jackson and Marshall Newhouse were all top 25 in performance-based pay last year.

• Teams that are successful season will view Covid-19 precautions as they would another opponent on the schedule, or part of keeping themselves in tuned as an athlete. There are serious repercussions for not doing your job in this area, and you know Bill Belichick is going to beat is team over the head with it. He should. It's that important.