The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed how the NFL has done business over the last year. Free agency was different. The NFL draft was completely remote. There was no preseason. The regular season was affected.
The season was completed and the playoffs are occurring but now the 2021 NFL combine is the latest NFL event to have to be altered.
According to a league memo acquired by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, there will be no in-person combine this year.
Here’s the full memo on changes to the 2021 scouting combine: pic.twitter.com/e1KNcuaUTn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 18, 2021
There will be no in-person workouts. There will be no in-person interviews. The drills will be handled at the college pro days. Media availability for team coaches, staff and draft prospects will all be virtual.
The medical examination aspect is not completely worked through yet but it will not be done in mass like at the combine traditionally. Only a few prospects will have in-person examinations.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill was part of the committee to make these changes.
It won’t be the event it normally is but it will help keep draft prospects safer while the country is being vaccinated.
But if it keeps the NFL on its schedule for 2021, this is the best way to go.
[vertical-gallery id=448291]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and