The cancellation of all preseason games scheduled for 2020 could be on the horizon.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL offered to play zero preseason games this season during recent negotiations with the NFL Players Association, a potentially major step for determining how the league will start safely amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Players have been adamant about not playing any exhibition games.
The Green Bay Packers are still currently scheduled to play preseason games against the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs, although a shortened two-game preseason schedule has been previously reported.
Here’s what a complete lack of preseason games could mean for the Packers in 2020:
Cancel the Jordan Love show: The preseason would have provided a terrific proving ground for first-round pick Jordan Love, especially as he competes with Tim Boyle to be the primary backup behind Aaron Rodgers. He’s talented but needs development at the pro level, making him the ideal type of player to watch during the exhibition schedule. Not playing preseason games would rob the rookie quarterback of valuable snaps in a live-game environment. He would have played a ton over the four games. Practice reps will have to suffice.
Cancel the A.J Dillon show: NFL teams run the ball a lot during the preseason. And who usually gets the carries? Young backs trying to earn a role. Dillon, the Packers’ second-round pick, might have carried the ball 30 or more times during the preseason, and it would have been fun to see the 247-pound Dillon attempt to run over NFL-level tacklers during exhibition games. Game action has some value for running backs, especially without much live tackling during camp. And don’t forget: Back in 2017, Aaron Jones looked like the real deal during his first preseason.
Big hurdles for UDFAs: Not only did the undrafted rookies miss the hands-on work of the entire offseason workout program, but without preseason games, they’ll be stripped of the best opportunities to impress decision-makers and earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The Packers’ 15 undrafted rookies are way behind the eight ball and now might not have a realistic path to making the roster. Most years, an unheralded rookie or two surprise during the preseason games and make the team. They’ll have to really impress during limited practice reps.
Tough on the fringes: Like the rookies, fringe roster players will also lose chances to play under the lights and bid for a roster spot. Guys like Dexter Williams, Darrius Shepherd, Reggie Begelton, Evan Baylis, Cole Madison, Treyvon Hester, Gerald Willis, Randy Ramsey, Curtis Bolton, Ka’dar Hollman and DaShaun Amos won’t have preseason games to build on their work in practice and make the team. It is possible rosters across the NFL will have fewer surprises to start 2020.
Emphasis on the practice work: One player who won’t complain if preseason games are canceled: Aaron Rodgers. The veteran quarterback puts much more emphasis on the important reps during camp practices, where real plays are run and both sides of the ball can get better without the need for hiding the scheme. Coaches and personnel executives will have to use the practice work to sort through the roster and make tough calls. Teams shouldn’t need preseason games to figure out the fringes of the roster, but live reps in a game environment never hurt the process.
Potentially fewer injuries entering the season: Injuries can happen at any time, including practice, but not playing live preseason games could lessen the risk for significant injury entering the season. Then again, not playing games could put players at a bigger risk once the season actually starts. Still, it’s worth noting that players such as Oren Burks, Curtis Bolton, Equanimeous St. Brown and Jace Sternberger all suffered significant injuries during preseason games last summer.