The COVID-19 pandemic has already forced a pair of Power 5 conferences to postpone their college football seasons until at least next spring, while others are still weighing such a decision.
If that happens, could the NFL make changes to its own calendar to accommodate? NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the league is looking at all the ways it might be able to work around a spring college football season in 2021:
From @GMFB: As some conferences in college football hit pause, the NFL world is watching and will ccommodate in any way it can. pic.twitter.com/dBCDP1QFb6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 12, 2020
From @GMFB: If the bulk of college football is delayed until the Spring, the NFL offseason calendar would change dramatically. More here 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/Tp2GOUOqbP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 12, 2020
Some top prospects had already opted out of the 2020 college football season prior to these postponements, a trend that is likely to continue now that these announcements have been made, something Rapoport also points out:
One development to watch: Several top college football players are lining up agents and preparing to opt-out. This should play out over the next few days and will alter who plays in the spring. pic.twitter.com/RNJzTgBIln
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 12, 2020
Some have wondered if the NFL might take advantage of the lack of college games on Saturday, and opt to move some of their own games from Sunday time slots. While that’s possible, there are still some hurdles that could keep the league from making that kind of move, Rapoport says:
From @GMFB: As some in College Football push to the Spring, having some NFL games on Saturday is possible. But the league is proceeding cautiously for many reasons 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/9NhKHVfVtP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 12, 2020
The football season is sure to look much different than usual in 2020 at all levels, but it looks like the NFL will be keeping a close eye on what happens in the college ranks as they prepare for their own games next month.
[vertical-gallery id=622311]