The NFL continues to navigate through uncharted waters as they attempt to prepare for the 2020 season amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin seems to be among those that are still concerned with the challenges of ensuring the safety of players and staff.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has been adamant about maintaining the current timeline of the 2020 campaign. According to Will Graves of the Associated Press, Tomlin admittedly conflicted about starting the season on time:
“The big thing is that we have to leave the door open for viable men, and those men have to move quickly in terms of developing, understanding and displaying that understanding … There is going to be big-time urgency in that regard.”
Tomlin added that he is still optimistic that the NFL will be able to usher in the necessary safety protocols in order to make it come to fruition:
“I’m comfortable with the overall trajectory of where we are headed … I’m sure by the time we are called to execute procedures and protocol and policy that they will be realistic, doable and appropriate, but until that time, there’s going to be some anxiety for all of us. I’m trying to keep my emotions in check.”
Tomlin's comments are indicative of the kind of challenges that teams have been faced with when it comes to getting ready for the season during a global pandemic. The NFL has been forced to take unprecedented acton this offseason, which has resulted in them granting clubs some autonomy when it comes to determining guidelines based on the restrictions set by their local governments.
The NBA has managed to establish a safety protocol for their bubble environ on the Walt Disney World Campus in Orlando despite Florida currently leading the nation in reported COVID-19 cases. The NFL may very well need to take a page out of their book if they hope to keep the 2020 campaign going as planned.
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