Last month, the Los Angeles Rams announced their offseason program schedule, which included OTAs, mandatory minicamp and rookie minicamp. Those plans had to be scrapped, though, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has put everything in the country on hold.
The Rams’ workout program was set to begin on April 20 with Phase 1, which included weight training and classroom work. No team facilities are open, but on Tuesday, the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement to allow teams to hold virtual OTAs.
Those can begin on April 20 for teams with new head coaches and April 27 for teams with returning coaches – so the Rams’ program could start on the 27th.
Key language there: Club facilities will only open in accordance with NFL protocols and federal, state and local rules and regulations. If one or more club facilities must remain closed for any period of time, *all* club facilities must remain closed during that period.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 13, 2020
Teams are allowed to hold virtual classroom work using Skype and videoconferencing software, though all of this remains voluntary, as usual. The Rams’ OTAs must end by May 15, so it cannot run longer than three weeks.
When team facilities re-open, whenever that is, on-field work can begin. But that can only take place when all 32 club facilities open.