While most of the world has come to a complete standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL continues to move along throughout its offseason.
Buffalo Bills general Manager Brandon Beane spoke to the media via Zoom video chat on Thursday and discussed the ever-changing world we now live in.
“I wish I had bought stock in Zoom a month ago,” Beane said jokingly. “We’ll be prepared regardless of whatever scenario we’re dealt.”
While the Bills are making every effort to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft and season, the pandemic and health of players and employees still takes precedence.
“This is bigger than sports,” Beane told reporters. “We have to do the right thing by flattening the curve.”
Beane was on the road attending Clemson’s pro day when the Coronavirus situation left him scrambling to get back home. A situation that has been evolving minute by minute since it all began.
The fact of the matter is that while in person meetings are always preferential, this is something that every team is currently dealing with, so the playing field remains even.
That of course doesn’t mean that the Bills won’t try to gain a competitive advantage.
“Sean (McDermott) and I are wired not to sit still,” Beane said when discussing adhering to proper social distancing. “We’re trying to find ways.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced earlier this week that the 2020 NFL Draft would still move forward as planned on April 23rd.
The details however, are still being ironed out, but what we know for certain is that things will done in a social-distancing fashion. No grand show with players walking across the stage per usual, the league already announced that’s changing. With that, Beane’s prepping for any scenario… from any location.
“We’ll be ready wherever we have to draft. If we have to draft from my car, we’ll draft from my car,” Beane said.
With no sports to speak of, fans are clinging to the NFL’s offseason to provide them with a mental break from all the uncertainty surrounding them.
Regular season games don’t start until September and while many hope the regular season won’t be impacted by the virus, Beane said all about anyone can say when asked about it, saying there are too many “unknowns.”
Despite all of the negatives, there is always a bright side to every situation… even for NFL general managers. More family time.
“I haven’t had this many lunches and dinners with my wife and my two boys since they were born,” he said.
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