Josh Tupou to opt out of 2020 season

The first Bengals player has decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.

Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, defensive tackle Josh Tupou has told the team he will opt out.

Under the amended collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, players can opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to the coronavirus. There are two opt-out designations a player can have.

To be designated a voluntary opt-out, a player must be under contract or subject to a tender. The player’s contract will toll, and all provisions of that contract for the tolled year will be applicable the following season.

However, said player will not receive an accrued season. The player will be eligible for a stipend of $150,000 to be treated as a salary advance against his tolled contract. Undrafted free agents are not eligible for the stipend.

In 2021, the contract will be reinstated. If the player reports for all required activities in 2021, the opt-out will not become a breach of his 2020 contract, which will not subject him to discipline or forfeiture, will not void any bonuses or guarantees or have any other adverse consequences beyond those set forth herein.

Tupou was scheduled to take home $2,133,000 after signing his original round tender offer as a restricted free agent this offseason. Instead, he will accept the $150,000 as a voluntary opt-out.

Originally a college free agent signing after the 2017 NFL Draft, Tupou has played in 23 career games (7 starts) in three seasons with Cincinnati. He has 36 tackles and a forced fumble to his name.

In 2019, Tupou made several starts for the first time in his career as a versatile defensive tackle in the defense’s new odd-front scheme. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 23rd best interior defensive lineman out of 74 qualifying players.

The Bengals recently waived defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow due to a failed physical, so the defense is now down two depth players behind starters Geno Atkins and D.J. Reader.