In 2011, a lockout stalled the league year until training camp. But players could still work out independently in groups. This coronavirus-marred offseason has brought a different reality, and teams are growing worried.
Quarantines have players confined to their homes, and for the many NFLers without elaborate home-gym setups, it will disrupt workout routines. Teams that made quarterback or skill-position signings may not see their new-look offenses running plays together until training camp. Concerns from teams, the NFLPA and league executives have emerged regarding the physical health of players, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports, adding that these worries stem from players being in much worse shape as the quarantines stretch through April.
Teams’ offseason programs begin each April, but the COVID-19 pandemic is almost certainly set to wipe out OTAs and minicamps this year. The NFL took the step to close teams’ facilities, and Garafolo adds various players have been turned away from working out at their respective teams’ headquarters. Still, teams are hopeful the social distancing guidelines will ease up at some point in May or June to allow a truncated offseason program, Garafolo adds.
The prospect of teams convening during the several weeks on the calendar between minicamp and training camp — usually an NFL dead period — has come up. Discussions between the NFL and NFLPA of a multi-week ramp-up period before training camp occurring at some point in late June or early July have occurred, per Garafolo, who adds the NFLPA does not want players going from 0-100 come training camp.
The league still hopes to hold training camp and the regular season on time, but with even these late-summer staples not locks in this uncertain period, a pre-training camp ramp-up period may also be optimistic.
Players’ workout bonuses have also become an issue; $36MM-plus in offseason payments are in limbo. Players’ participation in teams’ virtual offseason programs has come up as away to reward these bonuses, per Garafolo. Teams are preparing to begin virtual offseason programs this month, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes. These could not occur in 2011, when teams were barred from contacting players. Teams sending players digital playbooks and, interestingly, videoconference workouts are scenarios on the table, Graziano adds.
As for free agents who remain unsigned, the inability to visit or work out for teams has doubled as a bad break for those with medical question marks. Various free agents who have already agreed to deals could run into trouble as well. Teams have raised the possibility of rescinding agreements after the draft if needs are filled to the point certain free agents are no longer needed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter).
The NFLs insatiable GREED won’t allow them to accept the possibility that the 2020 season may have to be cancelled. I’m fairly certain that any patchwork approach they pursue will inevitably result in a cluster—- of epic proportions. I believe in the maxim that if you can’t do a job properly…then don’t do it at all.
There’s absolutely no reason to believe the season might be shortened, let alone canceled.
“Greed” is probably the most overused word in society today.
That GREED will allow many with behind the scenes jobs within a team to stay employed. That GREED will allow stadiums to operate and employ thousands of workers around the league. That GREED will result in hundreds of media personnel to carry on with their lives with income as they help produce and broadcast live content.
Obviously the team owners who have invested in players and facilities want to be able to realize a return on their investment. Just as a fan who has invested in a ticket to watch a game wants to see a return on their investment by way of being entertained and thrilled.
If you’d rather relive the excitement of the 1994 MLB season or the 2004-05 NHL season, that is certainly your right.
You may see a shortened regular season, 12 games starting in October. Perhaps the first few in empty stadiums. It’s all guesswork now.
Even if the NFL comes up with some abbreviated schedule, the on field product will look like an amateur XFL effort if players don’t have a full training camp to get in shape and practice together.
Players already don’t have a full training camp compared to years gone by and the new CBA curtailed it further. That’s a contributing reason why September NFL is unpredictable and sloppy.