The league continues to take unprecedented action in order to prepare for the 2020 NFL season amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The restrictions in place have limited teams to maintain their stay-at-home orders while taking part in virtual meetings.
The NFL had initially hoped for a return to normalcy by the end of May before extending the virtual offseason program. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, it is expected to stay that way until training camp begins:
“There’s no official announcement, and discussions are ongoing, but multiple people expect that the next time NFL players show up at teams’ training facilities will be for training camp, whenever that begins, per sources.”
Although local governments around the league have allowed essential team personnel to return to their practice facilities, the NFL as a whole has been adamant about maintaining a level playing field by committing to the same start time. Of course, it remains to be seen just when they will be able to ensure the safety of players and coaches preparing for the 2020 campaign.
Teams have already lost precious time with the ongoing pandemic cutting into OTAs and mini-camps thus far. The situation is hardly ideal for the handful of organizations that have ushered in some significant changes to their coaching staffs this offseason.
Regardless, it is imperative that they continue to emphasize player safety if they hope to keep the timeline for the season on track. Commissioner Roger Goodell has already announced that teams must hold this year's training camp at their home facilities in an effort to combat any exposure by restricting travel.
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