As the 2020 NFL season nears, there remains an overwhelming sense of uncertainty about when it will begin and what form the schedule will take. No one truly knows whether the season will start on time, if it will be shortened or if there will be fans in the stands when play does eventually resume.
The Rams are facing the possibility of playing home games at their brand new stadium without fans in the seats. SoFi Stadium has already had its opening event canceled – a Taylor Swift concert in July – and it remains to be seen if public gatherings will even be allowed this fall.
Jared Goff was asked this week about the possibility of playing games in an empty SoFi Stadium and he’s not crazy about it.
“Not ideal,” Goff said on a video conference call. “Not what you want to do. I understand there are a lot of bigger implications in place right now as far as health of the world. But I know that’s not the vision we had moving to L.A. and I know that’s not the vision Mr. Kroenke had, ultimately, but if that is what it is, we have to roll with it.”
Goff fully understands the severity of the situation and the uncertainty of it all, saying he has no idea if fans will be allowed to attend games whenever they do take place.
“I don’t think it’s anything we want to do, but I’m preparing for full stadiums. Is that going to happen? I don’t know. I don’t know what the percentages are. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a scientist. Where will this progress? I don’t know. You guys don’t know. No one knows. So, we’re going to see in the next three or four months and then find out.”
This is supposed to be a memorable year for the Rams as they undergo a brand refresh, complete with new logos, uniforms, helmets and of course SoFi Stadium. But the coronavirus could delay the season, and thus the new era of the Rams in L.A.