A 2020 NFL season is still not a certainty. But it appears set to take a sizable step toward becoming more likely. According to league insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, players will report to their team facilities on Tuesday, July 28.
This date would technically be an on-time start for most clubs’ training camps, but would eliminate the possibility of any early pre-camp work for rookies and others. Rapoport points out that, given the lack of access players have had to their facilities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a “ramp-up period” required after the start date and will likely necessitate an abbreviated preseason.
So there is a date to report: July 28. The NFL and NFLPA are still negotiating what camp will look like and how the protocols will be handled and everything else. But players will arrive on time. https://t.co/BLrbUQnRXx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 24, 2020
The Cowboys, by virtue of having a first-year head coach, would typically be allowed a one-week head start at camp under normal circumstances. As Rapoport notes, though, some teams are moving forward under the assumption that there will be no early reporting for anyone this offseason.
Even with a July 28 start for all 32 NFL organizations, the Cowboys and Steelers may ultimately feel the impact of a shortened preseason before the other clubs. Dallas and Pittsburgh are scheduled to meet in the annual Hall of Fame Game, the traditional kickoff to the preseason’s slate of games. The game is slated to be played in Canton, Ohio on August 6, just nine days after players will have reported.
Ohio’s governor has already cast considerable doubt on the game being open to fans. Other options for the exhibition may include hosting the game and coinciding Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at a later date, or even canceling the game outright.
The league’s 32 teams were informed by the league earlier this week that they must formulate and submit response plans complete with detailed protocols and personnel “tiers” that will dictate who can go where at team facilities, including places like the locker room, training room, sidelines, and practice fields. Those plans are to be turned into the league “seven days before the first mandatory reporting date for players for the 2020 NFL season.”
It now appears that the first mandatory reporting date is July 28.
The NFL will host a video conference meeting with team owners on Thursday to address a number of topics. Training camp and 2020 season planning are among the items on the agenda.
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