The 2020 season could look very different for the NFL due to the unprecedented times we’re currently in. Every American sports league is currently on hold and there’s no guarantee that the NFL will be able to play its games as currently scheduled this fall.
The season could be delayed, games could be canceled or teams could be playing in empty stadiums. Everything seems to be on the table right now, which has teams preparing for whatever the league decides to do.
It’s hard to replicate the feeling of playing in empty stadiums with no fans, but Rams coach Sean McVay has experience coaching in such situations. He knows what it’s like to have no one in the stands, drawing off his time as a coach in the United Football League, which no longer exists.
“I can, because I coached in the UFL my second year in coaching, and it felt like we didn’t play in front of many fans in some of those situations,” McVay said on a conference call last week.
“It feels very similar to practice. I can probably yell across the sidelines for the other coaches to hear you for the players. I’ve been in some similar experiences, so if that’s what it is, we’ll just be thankful to be playing in any form or fashion, but certainly the fans bring an added dynamic that you can’t match.”
Playing in front of fans is especially important for the Rams, who are opening a brand new stadium this year. SoFi Stadium is set to be completed before the 2020 season, but if fans aren’t allowed to attend games, the home opener against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football will certainly have a different feel to it.
McVay is hoping SoFi Stadium isn’t empty on Sept. 13, or in any other game, for that matter, but he knows it’s not something the team can control.
“We certainly hope that that’s not the case, but we’re not going to speculate on any of that,” he said. “It’s still so far away. I mean, think about how much has taken place even (in the) two months that we’ve been in these quarantine positions, so I think we’ll just let it play itself out. It’s still going to be a football game, and we’re hopeful that it’ll be as normal as possible, but obviously the health and safety of everybody is the first and foremost consideration.”
As of now, the Rams will open their season and SoFi Stadium on Sept. 13 against the Cowboys, and conclude at home against the Cardinals on Jan. 3.
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