The NFL has already shortened its preseason from four games to two over concerns related to Covid-19, but one veteran Denver Broncos player thinks the preseason could be cut down even more—and possibly eliminated in full.

“Be ready for 1 or 0 preseason games. Won’t be 2”, tweeted Broncos placekicker Brandon McManus, who is the team's NFLPA representative.

The league essentially cancelled the first and fourth weeks of its original preseason schedule after previously nixing the Aug. 8 Hall of Fame game. Maybe the Broncos vet is on to something. A majority of players are still expected to report to training camp on July 28, but the first preseason games wouldn't kick off until late August. The second week of preseason games is currently scheduled for Aug. 27-31, but more re-shuffling of the original preseason schedule is underway. As it stands, each team will play one home game and one on the road.

The NFLPA still “hasn’t signed off” on a two-game preseason schedule, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. “Some in union leadership continue to question whether it’s smart to play ANY preseason games,” Garafolo tweeted. McManus has also been a vocal opponent of the possibility of teams traveling to cities on game days this season. The kicker said there’s “no chance” his Broncos teammates would fly to an East Coast game on the same day as kick-off.
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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the league and players union are discussing protocols for the safest possible reopening of team facilities, including testing programs and other pandemic-related obstacles. Per Schefter, there is no deadline for finalizing protocols, but both sides would likely need an agreement by the end of next week in order for camps to start on time. It'll be interesting to see if the Broncos talent is right.