The next step in the NFL’s plans to try and begin preparation for an on-time start to the 2020 season is official. NFL teams were sent a memo today that allows coaches to return to the facility this Friday.
Starting Friday, NFL coaches will be allowed to return to their training facilities, as outlined by this memo from Roger Goodell that went to teams today: pic.twitter.com/UEwDROGnO5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 4, 2020
It’s a solid first step as the league and the country attempts to slowly re-open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next step the NFL hoped to accomplish was to hold June minicamp either on-time or only slightly late. The problem with those hopes is it relies on the approval of the NFLPA and from the beginning of the NFL discussing this possibility, the NFLPA made it clear they would be far more cautious with the safety of the players.
Addition on the player front: As @AdamSchefter reported, optimism about a return of players before the break is waning. Some hoped to seek NFLPA approval to invite players back on at least a voluntary basis by June 15 or 22. Now appears unlikely. League guidance is expected soon. https://t.co/kJE6XOuAY4
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) June 4, 2020
Should minicamp be a no-go, the NFL offseason would be a wash. Usually, there would have been ten voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTA) practices in May and June followed by the three-day mandatory minicamp in mid-June. OTA’s were lost already. If the minicamp doesn’t happen either, the teams won’t reconvene until training camp in late July.
There has been some discussion about possibly starting training camp a week early due to the loss of the offseason program.
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