The NFL has already decided to trim two games from the preseason schedule this year, but there could be further changes on the horizon. According to reports, the NFLPA voted unanimously to recommend playing no preseason games due to coronavirus concerns.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the preseason is being canceled altogether since the owners still have to approve it. However, it’s clear that players are not completely comfortable with playing games this summer.
On Thursday night’s NFLPA call, the union’s board of reps voted unanimously to recommend that the NFL play no preseason games this year. It’s unclear whether the league, which has already decided to cut the preseason from four games to two, will consider the recommendation.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) July 3, 2020
If the preseason were to be canceled, here’s how the training camp schedule could look, according to the players’ union.
With the NFLPA still opposed to preseason games, one possible camp schedule the union has discussed:
3 days: medical/equipment
21 days: strength & conditioning
10 days: unpadded practice
14 days: practice (10 max/8 padded)Then it’d be straight into Week 1.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 3, 2020
This would conceivably lead to some sloppy football early in the season, with teams having very little preparation before Week 1. Still, it’s better to have sloppy football than no football at all.
If the preseason were to be canceled, it would hurt the chances of undrafted free agents to make it in the NFL. They count on those games for exposure and as opportunities to show their coaches that they deserve a spot on the 53-man roster.
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