The NFL is keeping its options open — as in way open — when it comes to the 2020 season. The league has its eyes on what is going to happen with college football.
If the college season is suspended, postponed, or delayed, the NFL is considering playing games on Saturdays, according to a report by Andrew Marchand of The New York Post.
With the NFL expected to release its schedule soon, its officials have discussed giving the league some flexibility to move games to Saturdays this fall if college football postpones its entire season, according to sources.
The NFL has had preliminary discussions with its broadcast partners about the idea. An NFL spokesman declined comment.
While the majority of the week’s schedule would remain on Sundays, along with the primetime Monday and Thursday slates, some stand-alone games could be reset for Saturdays.
The NFL will only consider the move if there is no college football. It is still unclear if college football will be played this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Typically the NFL only plays on Saturday on the final couple weeks of the season. That is after the college regular season concludes.
However, The Post suggests the pro league could go as far as tripleheaders.
The NFL could go to more extremes if Saturday is freed up for its whole season. It could have a triple-header with games at 1 p.m., 4:30 and 8, or just have one Saturday game of the week.
… It is an interesting idea that won’t be resolved when the schedule is announced by May 9, but the NFL likely will give itself some flexibility.