In a new proposal from the NFL to the NFLPA, the league has offered to do away with the preseason entirely in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFLPA told players that there will be no preseason games in 2020, and along with that, roster sizes for training camp could be cut down to 80 players.
Updates from NFLPA call with players tonight:
– No preseason games in 2020
– Union still pushing for longer ramp-up period in camp
– Roster sizes expected to be 80 to start camp
– General agreement on voluntary and high-risk opt-out
– General agreement on stipend if games lost— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 21, 2020
The idea behind cancelling the preseason is that now players will have longer to acclimate before training camp practices begin. None of this has been made official yet and both sides are still working through other issues.
This is the latest attempt by the NFL to come to an agreement with the players on COVID-19 protocols. At first, the league wanted two preseason games, then one, but the players weren’t receptive to either idea.
The Tennessee Titans currently have 87 players on their roster, which means general manager Jon Robinson will have to trim it down to meet this new number. Undrafted free agents will likely be the first to go.
Without a preseason, rookies will have less time to develop and carve out a role, and players on the roster bubble will have limited opportunities to prove themselves and make the cut.
On Tuesday, the Titans officially announced when players will report to training camp. Rookies will now report on the same day as quarterbacks and injured players on Thursday, July 23, while the rest of the team will report as originally scheduled on Tuesday, July 28.
The first day players report will be all about testing, per the agreement between the NFL and NFLPA. Any player who comes away with a positive result will not be allowed in the facility until further notice.
[lawrence-related id=40629,40594,40555]