The NFL took another step towards fully opening Thursday as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a memo stating that all but one team could allow coaches to return to their facilities starting today. The only coaching staff that hasn’t received the green light to return was that of the San Francisco 49ers due to the local guidelines of Santa Clara County.
The team previously had taken a step to re-open on the 26th of May as the facility was allowed to let in personnel members who weren’t coaches and players that needed treatment for injuries. In terms of a figure, a maximum of 75 employees and no more than 50% of the Jags’ staff were allowed at TIAA Bank Field at the same time.
Now, the maximum number can be 100 employees with the coaches coming back, which was one of the many things mentioned in Goodell’s memo:
“This will advice that, beginning tomorrow, June 5, coaching staffs may be among the employees returning to your facility. As has been emphasized in previous advice on reopening facilities, this may occur only if your club has otherwise received necessary permission from state and local governments to reopen its facility.
As stated in my memo of May 28, members of the coaching staff will count toward the maximum number of permissible club employees in the facility to a total of 100 subject again to state and local regulation and implementation of the protocols developed under the leadership of Dr. Sills.
Coaches and other football staff, particularly those who may be in a higher risk category or who have concerns about their own health conditions, are expected to speak with the club medical staff or personal physician about any special precautions or other accommodations that may be appropriate for their particular circumstances. In addition, we will work with club medical staffs to implement a program of Covid-19 testing for the coaching staff and other football personnel prior to players returning to club facility.”
While it’s a step in the right direction, without the players the coaches will be limited to what can be done and the next big step will be getting the green light for their returns. Per ESPN, that’s not expected to happen until training camp, meaning the league is likely to go without their June minicamps, too. Add in the fact that the league has missed out on its typical organized team activities of May, and it appears young teams like the Jags could really be affected.
Last year, the Jags announced their training camp dates around the middle of June, so we could know more in about a week or so. The Jags’ 2019 training camp began on July 22, so maybe they will strive to get back a little sooner than that this year, but a lot depends on how local officials open up things around the country.