The @NFL advised teams that training camps are expected to begin as scheduled on July 28 with rookies and selected players permitted to report earlier. https://t.co/ZnSybQsTWD pic.twitter.com/B16LT1qMTX
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) June 29, 2020
The National Football League has announced it has informed teams that training camps are set to open as scheduled this year with most kicking off on July 28.
Rookies and other “select players,” however, may be allowed to report a few days earlier if the clubs deem prudent. Panthers coach Matt Rhule had said last week the league had informed teams they could bring rookies in on July 21 and quarterbacks on July 23.
The owners and league officials participated in a conference call last Thursday and discussed how to best proceed with reopening in light of the rise of COVID-19 cases around the nation.
League executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash was the one to convey the news.
After the meeting, NFL Commission Roger Goodell also informed reporters the league’s focus is to “get ready for games at our stadiums and to engage our fans both in stadiums and through our media partners.”
But with many states seeing the number of positive coronavirus tests increasing at an alarming rate, the league might have to walk back on its aggressive plan to start camps on time, after all.
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