Former Saints guard Warford, two current backups opt out of 2020 season

On the same day that veterans returned to Metairie for the start of training camp, a former Pro Bowl performer and a pair of New Orleans Saints reserve players opted out of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Saints three-time Pro-Bowl guard Larry Warford will not play this season, reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

New Orleans released Warford in early May, and the 29-year old free agent had multiple options to sign with other teams. Instead, sources told Schefter that Warford instead wants to focus on starting a family while continuing to train with an eye towards the 2021 season.

Backup tight ends Jason Vander Laan and Cole Wick were added to the Reserve List with an “opt-out” designation for the 2020 season.

Several other players around the league have also decided to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season.