Giants’ coaching staff will work virtually until training camp

Although they are now permitted to return, the New York Giants’ coaching staff will continue to work virtually until training camp in July.

The New York Giants began to reopen their East Rutherford facilities earlier this week in accordance with New Jersey State guidelines. Among those to return were co-owner John Mara and general manager Dave Gettleman.

Just days after those two returned to work, the NFL announced that coaches would also be permitted to return to facilities, potentially allowing first-year head coach Joe Judge to get comfortable with his new digs.

That will not happen, however.

Although Judge is currently in New Jersey, neither he nor any other members of the team’s coaching staff will return to team facilities until the start of training camp in late July. Instead, they will continue to work remotely from across the country.

Not that it was unexpected, but with the coaching staff staying away from facilities until training camp, that means there will be no minicamp or organized team activities this year.

Those may not have happened anyway as restrictions still remain on who is able to return to team facilities. Currently, although the coaching staff is permitted, healthy players are not allowed on the premises — only injured or rehabbing players are allowed in the building.

Even when Giants players do return for training camp, they can likely expect to be quarantined for two weeks, reports NJ Advance Media.

Before entering the facility, there is a warning sign asking that anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, is exhibiting symptoms (i.e. cough, fever, sore throat, diarrhea, etc.) of the virus or travelled outside of the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area over the last 14 days is asked not to enter the facility.

There are many notable Giants players not currently staying in New Jersey, with some in California, Arizona and Florida, among many other states. If that guideline sticks when players are welcomed back — which isn’t a guarantee with nearly two months until camp — a large portion of the roster would likely have to return to New Jersey at least two weeks before the start of training camp in order to be cleared to participate on time.

Many things could change between now and the start of training camp, but the Giants are taking no chances. Consider this the “new normal.”

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