The preseason will be cut in half for the Green Bay Packers and the 31 other NFL teams.
According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, the NFL plans to eliminate two preseason games this year in response to the risk factors associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Seifert, the NFL will eliminate preseason games scheduled for the first and fourth weeks of the exhibition schedule and shuffle a few others so all teams play one home game and road game in August.
How does this affect the Packers?
Matt LaFleur’s team will lose preseason games at home against the Arizona Cardinals on August 15 and on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 3, leaving only a home game against the Cleveland Browns on August 22 and a road game against the New York Giants on August 29 on the Packers’ preseason schedule.
The Packers play both a home and road game, making a reshuffling of games unlikely. The Browns and Giants also have one home and road game, so all three teams should be set.
If the NFL cuts two games, the Packers wouldn’t play a preseason game until Aug. 22 at the earliest.
According to Seifert, both the NFL and NFL Players Association agree that players will need more time during training camp to get ready for actual games than during a normal season. Because of the coronavirus, all teams have conducted the offseason workout program through virtual means.
The Packers are scheduled to report for training camp on July 28, although no official announcement has been made. The team will conduct all training camp business at Lambeau Field, and players won’t be staying or dining at St. Norbert College for the first time since 1958.
Potential shortened preseason schedule for Packers
Aug. 22: Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers, 3:00 p.m. CT, Lambeau Field
Aug. 29: Green Bay Packers at New York Giants, 5:00 p.m. CT, MetLife Stadium
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