The NFL has had to take unprecedented action leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell is still doing what he can to ensure it does not spill over into the 2020 NFL season.

There has been plenty of speculation regarding whether or not the timeline for this season will be pushed back amid the ongoing outbreak. Goodell reiterated his stance on sticking to the planned schedule during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up”:

“We obviously put public safety as a priority one. … We’ve demonstrated that when we have natural tragedies such as hurricanes that we always make sure we’re doing the right things.”

Goodell added that the NFL will take whatever precautions it needs in order to for the season to start on time.

“We’re going to do the things we need to do to make sure we’re operating safely, and that includes our fans.” Goodell: “Everything’s on the table. We’ve got to be smart. We want to try to do what we can to continue playing football, but doing it correctly and safely”

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Goodell's comments are indicative of the league's desire to get things back on track from a business standpoint. Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not the safety of the players, staff, and the public can be ensured before then.

The NFL has acknowledged the prospect of potentially playing games without any fans in the stadiums. Although it may take some getting used to at first, it is better than the alternative of not having any football on for the foreseeable future.

Fortunately, the league still has some time consult with both the CDC and the National Institute of Health in order to find a solution. Meanwhile, the NBA is hoping to beat them to the punch in order to save their 2019-20 season.

At the very least, the NFL should be able to mirror the steps that would need to be taken for a return to sports.