Despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the sports landscape, the NFL hasn’t been affected to the extent of the rest of professional sports.
Free agency has been underway without any interruption, the NFL Draft will move forward from April 23-25 and the plan is that the NFL will begin its regular season on time — and intend to play a full season, including the postseason, without interruptions.
“On the season itself, our planning, our expectation is fully directed at playing a full season, starting on schedule and having a full regular season and a full set of playoffs, just as we did in 2019,” NFL executive Jeff Pash told reporters on a conference call Tuesday, via ChicagoBears.com.
Well, at least for now. That’s subject to change depending on what happens over the next couple of months. But, for all intents and purposes, the expectation is there will be NFL football come September.
“That’s our expectation,” Pash continued. “Am I certain of that? I’m not certain I’ll be here tomorrow. But I’m planning on it, and in the same way, we’re planning on having a full season.”
In addition, the NFL has pushed back its schedule release from mid-April to early May. Expect the Bears’ 2020 schedule to be released no later than May 9.
The Bears will host the Buccaneers, Colts, Giants, Saints, Texans and their NFC North rivals Lions, Packers and Vikings. Chicago will also visit the Falcons, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams and Titans, as well as their divisional opponents.
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