Weirdest offseason workouts NFL players swear by

During the NFL offseason, the players have to stay in shape somehow. While most of them lift weights and practice cardio and other standard workouts, some of them like to get creative. From rib punches to sled pushes and yoga mats, you’ll find all kinds of strange workouts from NFL players over the years.

But who are we to question their genius? If it works, it works. And many of these workouts, which go viral online, aren’t just for show. They’re calculated tools in players’ quests for strength, recovery, and a competitive edge in today’s hyper-athletic league. Here are some of the strangest.

Unconventional offseason workouts from NFL players

Micah Parsons - The Gut Punch

Dallas Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons went viral during last year’s offseason for taking some serious punches to the gut. He and a boxer were exchanging punches in a test of abdominal strength.

Core training is indeed necessary for better impact and strike power, and these drills augment physiological strength by prepping breath and reflexes.

Zay Flowers - Pilates

Baltimore Ravens tight end Zay Flowers went the other direction, choosing a calmer method of training last offseason - Pilates.

“It keeps my core strong and keeps me right on the field,” said Flowes. “So I implement this into my workouts and go from there.”

Pilates targets core stability, strength, and flexibility - all things needed on the football field. It also helps control posture and breathing.

Derrick Henry - Chain Pushups

Ravens running back Derrick Henry was once spotted doing pushups, but not regular pushups. His legs are balancing on a stability ball and hands on a band. But he also has a giant chain hanging from his neck.

This is a true test of his core strength and balance, but why the chain? It’s not the main idea here, but it does add weight, making the workout even more intense.

Tua Tagovailoa - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

The Miami Dolphins quarterback is using jiu-jitsu to try to avoid concussions. In the 2022 season, he suffered two, so he and his jiu-jitsu coach decided to study his film to teach him to fall more safely.

Tennessee Titans (led by coach Mike Vrabel) - Weighted Sled Pushes

In the 2023 offseason, Titans coach Mike Vrabel had his players doing some intense weighted sled push drills that ended in some players collapsing, but also lots of laughs.

One Redditor described it: “I remember people just falling out from these in the Florida heat. Puke flying over, fight or flight kicking in from the stress your body’s undergoing and middle aged men screaming at you like they’re mad."

Sled pushes train horizontal force, sprint mechanics, posterior chain strength, and conditioning - all with low injury risk. That’s why they’re a staple in NFL offseason programs, especially for linemen and power backs.

Several Players in 2018 (Odell Beckham Jr., Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, Todd Gurley) - Vehicle Pulls, Medicine-Ball Catches, and 315‑lb Deadlift to 42″ Box Jumps

Perhaps most notable of these was New Orleans Saints running back Alkin Kamara pulling a jeep behind him preparing to run all over defenses in the next season.

Vehicle pulls train athletes to produce maximal horizontal force, the kind needed in short-yardage plays.

Jameis Winston: Everything He Does

Okay, I’ll pick one. But seriously, this guy is hilarious.

Jameis Winston - Towel-Throwing

The now New York Giants quarterback has had his share of interesting workouts and has become known for them over his time in the NFL. In this drill, Winston lobs a towel (instead of a football) but doesn’t actually let go of it, moving his feet and shouting out numbers—an oddball mix of ball security, rhythm, and footwork training. The dog running around is just added bonus entertainment.

Winston’s unusual drills may look more TikTok fodder than traditional QB prep, but they do serve their purpose - they’re creative ways to build core quarterback skills: ball control, pocket presence, and mental toughness.

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