NEWSLETTER
It was surreal to see — in real time — reactions from the NBA and NCAA in how they were handling COVID-19 while games were going on last night.
Today, it’s the NFL’s turn.
Off the top, it looks like the league will proceed with business as usual:
The NFL says it has no plans to move the start of the league year. Still on for next Wednesday, March 18.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2020
The NFL’s offseason timeline remains on course. And if that’s the case, that means:
And yet, it’s hard to think things are “business as usual” element when this is happening:
The NFL has told all staff except for operationally critical staff to work from home until further notice beginning tomorrow — “out of an abundance of caution and with the health and safety of our communities as our foremost priority."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
Multiple NFL teams are discussing shutting down their training facilities due to the Coronavirus, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2020
I’ve been notified that the @NFL has cancelled all draftee facility visits.
•Jordyn Brooks (LB- Tx Tech)- had 15 scheduled.
•Brandon Jones (DB- Texas)- had 8 scheduled.
•Devin Duvernay (WR- Texas)- had 6 + 7 private workouts.— Erik Burkhardt (@ErikBurkhardt) March 12, 2020
As an agent, it's my strong recommendation that my players don't travel for any team visits. With 12 or more games played, an All-Star game and Combine for most, teams have enough information to make an informed draft decision.
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 12, 2020
Jets are now pulling all coaches and scouts off the road for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 situation, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2020
The #Giants are among the teams pulling coaches off the road for workouts and Pro Days, and several other teams are expected to do the same. Teams will be briefed by the league office in a conference call later today for guidance on how to proceed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
NFL is taking hard look at adjustments to Las Vegas draft. Raiders owner Mark Davis: "The league office, the players association and the city and the state are working together. They’re making a measured decision. Health and safety will always be No. 1.” https://t.co/kilmZ6VklR
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 12, 2020
Point of clarification on some of the above:
Two notes:
— The NFL has not cancelled any pre-draft visits or workouts. That’s at a team’s discretion.
— The biggest issue for free agency may be getting players physicals. Every year, there is 1 or 2 players who fail, but how does a team ask them to get on a commercial flight?— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
Making adjustments to the NFL Draft that is scheduled to take place April 23-25 inLas Vegas isn’t business as usual. Neither is discussing shutting down team facilities as part of an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. The same can beside about pulling scouts off the road and canceling prospect visits ahead of the draft. But for the sake of safety, this is obviously the right thing to do.
As Rapoport tweeted above, the NFL is preparing to brief its teams on a conference call. I’m sure we’ll have more of an idea of how the league will tackle things moving forward once the call is completed. Until then, we’ll keep our eyes open for news that comes our way. In the meantime, be sure to wash your hands, disinfect your devices, and be safe for yourself, your families, and others.
