3 things to know about Seahawks mandatory minicamp

We’re inching closer to a brand new Seattle Seahawks season with this brand new coaching staff. Mike Macdonald and company have one more major offseason workout program before training camp, and that’s mandatory minicamp.

While some teams opted to get their minicamp over and done with last week, the Seahawks are one of 22 teams whose minicamps will commence this week. Opening day is today (Tuesday, June 11) and the final day is Thursday, June 13. What are some of the differences between OTAs and mini camp? Read on and find out!

There are financial consequences for missing mandatory minicamp

OTAs are voluntary, mandatory minicamp is uh... mandatory. The Seahawks don’t have any expected holdouts that we know of, so this is not likely to be an issue. However, in case of an unexcused absence, players can be fined $16,953 for the first day, $33,908 for the second day, and $50,855 for the third day. In other words, missing the whole of minicamp without a valid reason can result in over $100k in fines.

Full-contact is still not allowed

Much like OTAs, 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted, but you can’t have full contact and full pads that simulate a real game. We won’t see those until training camp. Here’s the full explanation from the NFLPA on what is and is not allowed in Phase Three of offseason workouts:

No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills are permitted (i.e., no offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen pass rush or pass protection drills, no wide receivers vs. defensive backs bump-and-run drills, and no one-on-one special teams drills involving both offense and defense are permitted) except that, outside of the 10-yard line, simulated press coverage is permitted using hand placement (versus jamming) during 11-on-11 drills and related position group one-on-one drills (e.g., footwork and release work (no live-contact or bump-and-run). During simulated press coverage drills, hand contact between a defensive player and a receiver is permitted provided the defensive player does not impede the receiver or alter his route and no live contact occurs.

The NFL shall provide a video that is jointly approved by the parties demonstrating permissible press coverage and one-on-one drills. In addition to on-field activities permitted during Phase Two of a Club’s offseason workout program, special teams drills (e.g., kicking team vs. return team) are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Team offense vs. team defense drills, including all drills listed in Appendix G to this Agreement, are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Clubs may require players to wear helmets; players may wear jointly approved protective shirts; no shells are permitted during Phase Three of the Club’s offseason workout program or any minicamp.

It’s worth noting that this particular blocking drill does not constitute full contact.

Players can participate in on-field activities a maximum of 3.5 hours of per day, and a maximum of 2.5 hours per practice session.

Media is permitted to attend every practice

OTAs had a mixture of “open to media” practices and sessions behind closed doors. Mandatory minicamp is only three days of practice, and media is on hand for all of them, which means we should get our fair share of highlights and quotes from players and coaching staff alike. The expanded access should give us greater insight as to the progress the Seahawks are making this offseason.

Watch this space (I mean, not this literal article) for coverage of Seahawks minicamp throughout the week!