In an interview with Britney Eurton at Oaklawn Park (a horseracing track), Saints head coach Sean Payton expressed skepticism that the new league year would begin as scheduled given the current status of COVID-19. “Most immediately the start of our league year… that’s going to be, I think, pushed back.” Payton currently serves on the NFL’s competition committee and is one of the most highly respected coaches in the league.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini asked Payton to clarify his comments and reported that Payton reiterated “‘he is not sure, but thinks it will be delayed.'” While that is obviously far from any official word from the league, the fact that one of the top decision makers in one of the league’s most successful organizations is publically expecting a delay does not bode well for the calendar to continue following business as usual.
Payton’s comments do conflict with some earlier reports that suggested the league still planned to start free agency as planned while delaying other offseason events that involved more travel and in-person interaction (like the draft).
A delay would move everyone into unprecedented territory and it’s unclear how any delays would impact free agents, players currently under contract, and draft prospects, but the league is clearly bracing (much like the rest of the world) for circumstances we have never seen before.
How about keeping some normalcy in these times. People need some good news and sports can deliver to those who want it. Those that don’t need any good news probably don’t care about free agency/official start day. Of course there will be some no matter the decision that just like to complain about anything so let’s get this year going!
Exactly if gets to the point in the calander where the NFL has to be delayed then the rest of the sports will have been completely shut down.
Why is this worthy of a post?
How is someone that had to take a one year unplanned vacation one of the leagues most respected coaches?
Why would free agency need to be delayed…or even the draft? Free agent can all be done via phone, computer, video conference. The draft can be done the same way. Postpone the Las Vegas draft event for another year and do it with modern technology. Millions of people working remotely at home….I think nfl could figure it out.