While most of the sports world has been at a standstill during the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has been able to operate business as usual, with some notable changes.
Free agency, the 2020 NFL Draft and offseason programs have been conducted from an entirely virtual format. But as we approach training camp in July, the NFL is beginning to pull back restrictions and allow teams to return to their facilities.
The NFL sent out a memo to teams that coaches will be allowed to return to team facilities beginning Friday, and that the maximum number of people allowed at those facilities is 100 people.
The NFL has informed teams that, effective tomorrow:
* Coaches are permitted to return to practice facilities
* Only players receiving treatment are permitted to be at the facility, as has been the case
* The maximum number of people at facilities is now up to 100 people— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 4, 2020
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the league expects every team’s coaches, minus the San Francisco 49ers, to be able to start returning to their facilities Friday.
More on the NFL welcoming back coaches: The league anticipates only the #49ers not be able to get to their facility tomorrow. The team is aware and supportive of the plan and has been in communication with its local authorities to obtain all necessary permissions when available.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2020
This means that Matt Nagy and his coaching staff will be allowed to return to Halas Hall and continue virtual organized team activities (OTAs) ahead of training camp in July.
Earlier this week, the NFL informed teams that all training camps must take place at team facilities to ensure the protection of players, coaches and staff. The Bears, who had practiced at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais for the last 18 years, decided back in January to move training camp to Halas Hall in Lake Forest, in order to take advantage of their team facilities.
Teams were also informed that joint practices, which have become a common occurrence among teams during the preseason, will not be taking place. The Bears had planned on taking part in joint practices with the Broncos ahead of their Week 2 preseason contest in Denver.
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