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Opt in or opt out? | Tre'Davious White is weighing his options for the 2020 season

Tre'Davious White takes part in the Buffalo Bills training camp on-field walk through, August 3, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Tre'Davious White takes part in the Buffalo Bills training camp on-field walk through, August 3, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert

Cornerback Tre'Davious White met with media over Zoom on Wednesday and opened up about the tough decision he has to make. In a season taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, White is not sure if he wants to opt in or opt out.

"Honestly I'm still undecided," White told media. "I have until tomorrow. But, I just wanted to come in and kind of see how it was going to go. How the season was going to go as far as moving around in the locker room, how is the day-to-day operation. Talking it over with my lady and seeing what would be the best decision for my kids too, and that playing a part in it."

White said he and his family will take it to the last day, August 6 at 4 p.m. ET, to make their decision. Taking the time to understand NFL's COVID protocols and see how the facility is set up, White knows he and his teammates play for an organization that has worked tirelessly to set up a safe environment.

"We obviously have some of the best people around the league caring for us, really caring for our well-being," White said. "They've been doing a great job. But just the aspect of guys still testing positive and having false negative, false positive tests and coming back to test negative. It's just those things that psychologically play a part in my thinking each and every day. Do I want to come in here and get my little 11-month old baby sick? Coming home and trying to love on him and picking him up, do I want to risk that? At the end of the day, no matter what, my family's going to come first. No matter what's going on, like how big of a season, or what's going on, I'm always putting my kids first."

White has two children who are a big part of his decision on whether he should play this season. He spent most of his offseason at home in Louisiana, and said it was a blessing to spend extra time with his family.

One thing that won't impact his choice to opt in or opt out is a new contract. The All-Pro enters his fourth year in the NFL and is locked into a contract through 2021 as the Bills chose to exercise his fifth-year option. The Pro Bowl corner isn't worried about rushing into a new deal.

"Whenever the time is right," White said about a new contract. "Whenever my agent and the Bills get together. And whenever the numbers are right or when I feel comfortable with where it's at for what I feel that I'm worth, then that's when it's going to be. But I'm not going to rush the thing and go into a premature thing because I'm not negotiating pretty much out of desperation because I'm good."

The league leader in interceptions last season explained he knows what he's worth and understands there's a market for defensive backs that will only grow with time.

Scroll through to see the top photos from Bills walk-through on Monday, Aug. 3.

If White chooses to play, he looks forward to what new receiver Stefon Diggs will bring to the offense.

"He's a guy that you can plug and play him," White explained. "No matter what, he's going to make the team better. To have a transcending talent like that to add with Smoke [Brown], Bease [Cole Beasley] and the other guys we have with Josh [Allen] and Motor [Singletary] too."

The corner, who didn't allow a touchdown in coverage in 2019, thinks Diggs can help the offense can soar to new heights while making him a better lockdown defender.

"On paper, we look sexy," White said with a smile. "We look good. I know the offense is going to get it down and we're going to have some explosive plays. It's going to be fun to watch. And then, to have a guy like him to be able to go up against in practice, one of the best in the league. He's not going to do anything but make me better."

White understands what's in store for his team and knows just how memorable the season could be. Regardless of this season's potential success, White is going to do what's best for his family this year.

"If I'm willing to go the distance, go four or five months doing the same thing, just having my kids stuck in the house," White explained. "I don't know if I'm willing to do that, so I don't know. I'm just going to pray about it and just see how it is."

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