The NFL sent a memo to coaches and general managers on Saturday reiterating that training camp is still slated to begin on July 28 for most teams. The league also set reporting dates, with rookies showing up as early as July 21.
Yet, the NFL and NLFPA are still working to agree on health and safety guidelines before camp, with no clear resolution in sight. Jared Goff was among a group of players who called on the NFL to provide answers regarding testing and coronavirus response protocols ahead before players begin to report.
You want to watch football this year? Us players need to remain healthy in order to make that happen. The NFL needs to do their part in order to bring football back safely in 2020. Please address health and safety concerns so we can play football this year. We want to play!
— Jared Goff (@JaredGoff16) July 19, 2020
Aaron Donald also joined the growing chorus by tweeting that the NFL “doesn’t care about doing their part to keep players healthy and safe.
It’s a shame that the @nfl doesn’t care about doing their part to keep players healthy and safe. They need to make sure football can come back the right way. We have to look out for ourselves as well as our families. #WeWantToPlay
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) July 19, 2020
Johnny Hekker was the third Rams player to echo those sentiments, saying players want to suit up and play, but the league isn’t following recommendations of the experts.
Same here, my family deserves to know that the @NFL is doing everything in their power to keep us safe. #WeWantToPlay but we need the league to follow recommendations from their own experts. https://t.co/ajEwi12lYh
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) July 19, 2020
As of now, players still don’t know how long camp will be, how many preseason games will be played or what protocols will need to be followed when they do report to camp. The NFL has lagged behind with a plan for football’s return, which is the main point of contention among players.
With the season rapidly approaching, the league must find a way to come to an agreement with the players’ association, otherwise we could be heading for a major dispute.
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