The NFL has already seen all kinds of upheaval due to the coronavirus. Limited off-season programs. No preseason games. Multiple game postponements, and because the Titans can’t keep their own COVID situation in check, the move of the Steelers-Titans game from Week 4 to Week 7. Tennessee’s Week 5 game against the Bills could also be affected.
In response to all of this, the league has decided to lay the wood on coaches who don’t follow the NFL’s mask mandates. After Week 2, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, Saints head coach Sean Payton, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan were all fined for violations of game-day COVID protocols.
Both Gruden and Payton said that they had contracted, and recovered from, the virus.
“It wasn’t pleasant,” Gruden said, “and it was reported that I made up that I had the virus, and it really ticked me off because I would never do something like that. But it’s a very serious matter and, you know, obviously, I’m sensitive about it. But yeah, it was a tough ordeal, that’s for sure. Just like everybody else that had it.”
Gruden was also asked about not wearing a mask on the sideline against the Saints.
“I’m doing my best,” he said. “I’ve had the virus. I’m doing my best. I’m very sensitive about it. … I’m calling plays. I just want to communicate in these situations, and if I get fined, I’ll have to pay the fine. But I’m very sensitive about that and I apologize.”
The Raiders were also fined $50,000 by the league for allowing an unauthorized individual into their locker room after the Saints game. Also, several Raiders players were seen talking to guests without masks during a charity event held by tight end Darren Waller on September 28.
So, after all that, you’d imagine Gruden and the Raiders would start to take the NFL’s COVID protocols more seriously, right?
Well, there was this screenshot of Gruden halfway through the third quarter of the Raiders’ game against the Bills on Sunday afternoon:
So. not exactly. Hopefully, some intrepid reporter will ask Gruden about his look after the game.
On Monday, the NFL is scheduled to hold a conference call with all 32 teams to try and get things under control.
NFL will conduct a COVID “accountability, learnings and requirements” conference call with all teams Monday morning.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 4, 2020
Representatives of the NFL and the NFLPA have been in Nashville to investigate the Titans’ COVID situation, in which 18 members of the organization have tested positive, have violated the league’s protocols. It’s possible that teams with repeated violations of COVID policies could be further penalized with the loss of draft picks.
I would add the possible loss of salary cap space. Draft picks are one thing, but in a 2021 league year in which it’s estimated that the loss of revenue in 2020 will cause the salary cap to drop from $198.2 million to $175 million, teams that refuse to take this seriously need to feel the burn for a good, long time. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for any member of any NFL team to put his colleagues, teammates, coaches, and opponents at risk beyond the risks that already exist because some chucklehead can’t keep his mask on.
And in the Raiders’ case, the NFL should have that organization firmly in its sights.