The San Francisco 49ers have been forced to play their next two home games in Arizona due to restrictions put in place in Santa Clara, where Levi’s Stadium is located. It’s the latest adjustment that’s been made in the NFL this season amidst the pandemic, and it certainly won’t be the last.
The Rams and Chargers could be the next teams to move out of California if the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on and lead to more restrictions.
According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports!, the NFL has spoken to both teams about potentially playing the rest of the season outside of California, discussing “safeguarding against a forced move to alternative playing sites in the coming weeks,” Robinson reported.
According to Robinson’s sources, steps are being taken in the event that this happens, with the Rams and Chargers working through the logistics of other practice areas and stadiums outside California. The teams are both both “eyeing backup plans that could include the use of another NFL facility in neighboring states.”
This likely comes in wake of the latest level of restrictions announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom, which would limit travel and other events further if the infection rate and hospitalizations increase.
Sean McVay was asked Thursday about the implications of these stay-at-home orders, but he’s not aware of any changes that need to be made by the Rams as of now.
“Have not, no. Haven’t heard anything of that nature,” he said. “I think you would probably know as soon as I do if anything was affected. But we know we’re focused on the Cardinals and don’t anticipate that to be an issue with next week’s game, if that’s what you’re alluding to as well.”