The coronavirus pandemic has prompted teams to have a virtual offseason, making it tougher on incoming rookies to earn a roster spot. Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers knows from personal experience how the virtual offseason can impact the undrafted rookies.

Back in 2017, Ekeler signed with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie out of Western State Colorado. He would work tirelessly during the offseason and was able to make Los Angeles' 53-man roster.

Therefore, Ekeler understands the trials and tribulations undrafted rookies have to endure:

“I don't know, honestly, if I would have made the team if I didn't have OTAs,” said Ekeler, who joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017 from Western State Colorado. “For me, I needed OTAs to go out there and I'd try 100%, but I needed to go out there and mess up because I went and messed up and I was like, OK, these are the things that I need this next month to go work on.”

Of course, with offseason programs being held virtually, OTAs weren't able to take place. The lack of time that undrafted rookies will have to prove themselves is something that irks Ekeler:

“It's so rough,” Ekeler said. “It's honestly pretty sad just as far as how unfortunate it is for these guys to have an opportunity, the opportunity is already small, but now it's even smaller.”

At the least, the NFL is expanding practice squads for 2020 due to COVID-19. While that will allow undrafted rookies to find a team, it doesn't guarantee them an active roster spot.