Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere was cancelled. However, one of their partners made sure to reveal what a handful of rookies will look like with their new teams.
Panini America, which is the exclusive trading card licensee of the NFL and NFLPA, unveiled 42 rookies in their new threads that they will be wearing this upcoming season.
Among the crop of first-year players named to the 2020 Rookie Premiere Class was Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Joshua Kelley.
The card art for both players can be found below:
There might not be an NFLPA Rookie Premiere this year . . . but there is a 2020 @NFLPA Rookie Premiere Class. And we're proud to begin unveiling it today — one position at a time starting with the first four QBs.#RatedRookie | #NFLPARookiePremiere pic.twitter.com/htJMKTiIXf
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) June 1, 2020
Our unveiling of the 2020 @NFLPA Rookie Premiere Class continues with the next four running backs. Coming soon: The final RB reveals.
#RatedRookie | #NFLPARookiePremiere pic.twitter.com/FDGxadwwVq— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) June 15, 2020
Typically, the event offers first-year players their first major business and marketing event following. It’s the first time for many companies to connect directly with the rookies all in one place and build relationships.
What do you all think? I think Herbert and Kelley look solid, especially in the team’s new uniforms that will be worn starting in 2020.