The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected the everyday working man but now, it’s spilled over into the NFL. In an attempt to put the well-being of the players, coaches, and staff members first, the league has adjusted it’s a normal routine for offseason plans.
Over the weekend, the league announced April’s amateur draft would still happen on time, but that the in-person fan experience was to be cancelled. Monday, the NFL and NFLPA laid out specific guidelines regarding protocol for the foreseeable future in a joint statement.
Free Agency
Free agency will begin on Wednesday at 4 pm ET where teams and players can finalize contracts, however, there’s a twist. Teams are prohibited from bringing any free agent, even their own, to their facility or any other location to meet with club personnel.
Club personnel, including members of the medical staff, are not allowed to travel to any location to meet with a free agent. These restrictions will remain until further notice.
Off-Season Team Activities (OTAs)
OTAs have been indefinitely suspended by the NFL. The league and the NFLPA will continue to monitor the situation going forward and will follow the guidance of medical and public health professionals, including respective medical advisors to determine a date in which these activities can begin.
During this period, the league and its union will work with its medical consultants to develop guidelines regarding facility and cleaning maintenance, equipment preparation, and steps to identify players at elevated risk for the coronavirus and other preventative measures.
Club Facilities
The NFL is prohibiting any player from coming to any team facility for a period of two weeks (March 17-March 31). However, this does not apply to players currently under contract receiving medical treatment by the team’s medical/athletic training staff.
In the days/weeks to come, more details in regards to these restrictions and guidelines will come out as it pertains to the NFL’s handling of this situation going forward.
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