The NFL season officially kicks off on Monday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. PT when teams can officially begin signing unrestricted free agents, after a two-day negotiation period.
COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus, has absolutely decimated the sports landscape over the last week, officially bringing about the cancellation or postponement of the NCAA tournament, the NBA season, all NCAA spring sports, the MLS, the XFL and the MLB in less than a week’s time.
The NFL has remained largely unchanged, although the league did prohibit draft-related travel, which shut down college Pro Days and a lot of potential visits with draft-eligible players.
However – despite the global pandemic and the draft-related travel ban, the league is planning to operate as usual this week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The decision has spawned concern and skepticism among league officials, who have a hard time believing the amount of travel and human contact that is required for free agent signings can reasonably occur while the disease is still spreading wildly.
NFL continues to say it’s business as usual and new league will start this week.
Multiple team officials express widespread skepticism that the NFL can start its league year this week, when our country is in crisis and so much – travel, visits, physicals – would have to happen.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2020
With a few days until free agency officially kicks off, it’s worth paying close attention to the news cycle, as things could change in an instant.
As one of very few sports that hasn’t completely shut down operations – it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if free agency and/or the NFL draft are put on hold while the pandemic continues.
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