Last week, it was reported that the NFL was cutting the 2020 preseason schedule in half, eliminating the Week 1 and Week 4 matchups. However, the NFLPA didn’t agree to that and we’ve since learned that they are opposed to playing preseason games this year altogether.
Training camp is set to begin for most teams three weeks from today, but there doesn’t seem to be any progress, here.
Today, Tom Pelissero at NFL Network outlined the disconnect between the two sides on how things should be proceeding.
Crux of the dispute:
– Joint medical committee recommended 48-day camp, shorter preseason
– NFL asked players to report earlier than CBA allows to fit calendar; NFLPA said no
– NFL still wants 2 preseason games
– NFLPA still wants 48-day camp, views preseason as needless risk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 7, 2020
The players union released its own statement via president JC Tretter, a center for the Browns. He says the league is ignoring its own experts’ advice, jeopardizing the safety of the players.
“The NFL initially accepted and implemented the Joint Committee’s suggestions, including items like no joint practices and no fans at training camp. However, the NFL was unwilling to follow the Joint Committee’s recommendation of a 48-day training camp schedule. Despite these experts’ assessment that teams face a serious risk of player-injury spikes this year (based on past NFL data and recent findings from sports leagues that have already returned to play this year), the NFL is unwilling to prioritize player safety and believes that the virus will bend to football.”
Meanwhile, some players are already saying that we won’t have a preseason. Here’s what Ravens quarterback RGIII tweeted today.
Sources say there will be no preseason this year
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 7, 2020
Few fans would cry over the loss of the preseason, but clearly there’s a lot of ground to cover before the real games can begin.
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