COVID-19 News & Rumors

Latest On Salary Cap Talks, Training Camp

June 16th, 2020 at 2:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

As could be expected, the NFLPA appears to be in favor of alternatives that would not involve players reporting to training camps earlier than scheduled. Most teams are set to report July 28, but NFL-NFLPA joint committee on health and safety have recommended extending the five-day acclimation period — implemented in this year’s CBA — significantly. However, an NFLPA source informed SI.com’s Albert Breer the union “would have no interest” in a scenario that features an early reporting date to make up for so much offseason time being missed. Some teams are in favor of having players report either one or two weeks early, Breer adds, but the league office has pushed back on the notion it would want players back early. This comes on the heels of minicamps being canceled.

The NFL and NFLPA have been discussing training camp scenarios for weeks, and the sides will need to hammer out an agreement before players are allowed to return to team facilities. However, the players have not yet proposed a report date that would differ from their new July 28 ETA, per Breer.

Here is the latest coming out of the ongoing NFL-NFLPA talks and the state of training camps amid COVID-19:

Teams will be reporting to camp July 28, for the most part. But a few rosters will be back sooner. The Cowboys, Steelers, Chiefs and Texans will report earlier, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled to play in this year’s Hall of Fame Game and will be the guinea pigs in this new reality, reporting July 22. With Chiefs-Texans being this year’s regular-season opener, each team will report July 25. These uniform dates mark a slight change from previous years, when teams would gradually report in late July since they were required to report 15 days before their first preseason game.
A few numbers have been thrown out about how much a fan-less season would impact the league. The NFLPA’s latest estimate came in. Union executive director DeMaurice Smith said a season featuring games without fans would represent a loss greater than $3 billion, Breer tweets. An NFL.com report indicated losses could exceed $4 billion in this scenario, placing even greater importance on the league’s talks with the union regarding the navigation of the salary cap — which would be set for a significant reduction unless the parties come up with a solution.
Shortening this year’s preseason schedule continues to surface as a rumored option as well.

Latest On NFL, COVID-19

June 15th, 2020 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Less than six weeks out of training camp, the NFL’s plans for what will be a significantly altered set of workouts are beginning to surface.

The league hopes to test players for COVID-19 around three times per week, according to NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer (via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, on Twitter). Four Cowboys and Texans players, including Ezekiel Elliott, reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. More positive tests will assuredly follow, with players having yet to convene with their teammates at facilities. Players will be isolated following positive tests, Mayer said, adding that players, coaches and other staffers will be subjected to tests, (via ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline).

Currently, the type of testing in which swabs are inserted through the nose serves as the method of identifying persons carrying the virus. But Mayer is 90% certain a less invasive, saliva-based test will be available before players return to team facilities.

The NFLPA is also working with Oakley to develop face shields for players, per Pauline. Overall, protocols for training camps are expected to surface within the next 30 days. The league has already released a set of guidelines for teams’ returns, with COVID-induced changes including mandatory masks for players when not going through football-related activities and social-distancing guidelines that will bring major changes to teams’ meetings and weight-room gatherings.

“Serious concern” exists regarding free agents who remain unable to visit teams because of the virus, Pauline adds. Players who are not rehabbing injuries are not allowed at team facilities. This policy continuing through training camp will create a time crunch that will impact several big-name free agents. Cam Newton, Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen and Larry Warford are among the top free agents available.

Concerns have also surfaced regarding players with pre-existing conditions, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets, adding that the subject of compensation for such players (and players who test positive during the season) came up Monday. Nothing concrete appears to be in place on this important front.

Additionally, Mayer said no plan exists if a state reinforces a lockdown after the NFL returns, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football tweets. COVID spikes have surfaced in numerous states over the past week, opening the door to the potential for the kind of lockdowns the initial March outbreak introduced. As of now, the NFL’s stance is for every team to hold training camp at their respective facilities and for fans to be in the stands at games. However, the general expectation is for games to unfold with either no fans or in front of a significantly limited group of spectators.

Cowboys, Texans Players Test Positive For COVID-19

June 15th, 2020 at 11:29am CST by Zachary Links

Several players from the Texans and Cowboys have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). The list includes Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, per Rapoport (Twitter link). It’s believed that those players were not in their respective team’s facilities, which hopefully means that there will not be further viral spread in either locker room.

Due to regulations, the players who tested positive have not been disclosed publicly. In total, four players have been found to have COVID-19, according to a source who spoke with Mike Florio of PFT. Two of those players are from the Cowboys (including Elliott) and two are from the Texans.

“Due to federal and local privacy laws, we are unable to provide information regarding the personal health of any of our employees,” said the Cowboys in their statement.

The NFL has pledged to do everything in its power to identify positive cases as they arise and prevent further spread. So far, it appears that plan has worked.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Saints head coach Sean Payton, and other NFL employees have tested positive for coronavirus this offseason. With more known cases, the NFL may need to adjust its game plan and schedule for summer activities. For now, the league intends to launch in-person training camp in July, followed by preseason games in August. However, this year’s preseason may be shortened from four games to two.

The same goes for the college ranks, where at least five Alabama players have tested positive for the virus. For now, the NCAA is hoping to have coaches working with players by July 13th, followed by four weeks of camp.

College Football Moving Closer To Return?

June 11th, 2020 at 7:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the NFL released as set of directives in preparation for players’ return to team facilities, the league and the NFLPA still have work to do before players report to training camp. Meanwhile, college football may have taken a step forward Thursday night.

The NCAA Football Oversight Committee announced a recommendation for coaches to begin formally working with players by July 13, Pete Thamel of Yahoo.com reports. This would precede the four-week camps that come before college football seasons commence.

College football has more hurdles to negotiate before its season becomes a certainty. Several conferences factor into this equation, and it is not yet known if students will be on campus by the time college football season would normally begin. But the athletes that drive the NCAA’s biggest revenue-generating sport will be the guinea pigs as schools prepare efforts to play football amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The July 13 date would open up film study and strength workouts. Following that two-week period, programs would are cleared to begin 20-hour weeks with football players July 24 — in an effort for an OTAs-style pre-camp period, Thamel adds. August 7 serves as the training camp target date.

Certain schools took advantage of the NCAA’s green light to have players return on June 1. This has not been a hiccup-free process. At least five Alabama players tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Measuring a period that ended Wednesday, 14 states — including football hotbeds California, Florida and Texas — just hit their highest seven-day average for COVID cases. Nevertheless, the NCAA will proceed with a college football summer blueprint.

After rumors of a postponement until the spring or a full-on cancellation swirled in the months since the virus surfaced, Thursday’s news certainly represents a notable development as the NFL prepares to formulate its plan.

NFL Cancels In-Person June Minicamps

June 11th, 2020 at 9:53am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL has informed teams that there will be no in-person minicamps in June, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Instead, the league has extended its “virtual” offseason activities period through June 26.

This was the expected move as the league aims to exercise caution with a gradual phase-by-phase approach to the offseason. Coaches have been permitted to return to team facilities in states, counties, and cities where that’s allowed, though as of last Friday, less than half of the league’s staffs came to the office.

The league did discuss a scenario in which rookies and newly acquired veterans could return to team facilities before 6/26, but it’s not clear if that’s still in play. When players are given the greenlight for in-person activities, they’ll be required to follow a long list of safety protocols. Teams will reconfigure locker rooms to keep players roughly 6 feet apart, disinfect equipment after each game, and have their players wear masks, unless they get in the way of “athletic activities.”

The NFL may also shorten the preseason, with two exhibition games rather than the typical four-game slate. Still, things are looking up for the NFL as the country continues to relax restrictions. On Tuesday, New Jersey nixed its stay-at-home orders, leaving California, Tennessee, and Oregon as the final states sticking to a regional reopening plan.

NFL To Shorten Preseason?

June 10th, 2020 at 11:54am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL and the players’ union are discussing the possibility of a shortened preseason, sources tell NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The belief is that we could wind up seeing only two preseason games played, rather than the usual four.

With a shortened exhibition slate, teams could have more time to prepare on the practice field and in the film room. Also, as Pelissero notes (Twitter link), it would buy more time for medical experts to develop and implement safety protocols for the many parties involved.

Most veteran players aren’t too fond of the preseason, but it’s a crucial platform for players on the fringe who are pushing to make the 53-man roster. Less preseason games could make it tougher for newcomers – especially undrafted free agents – to prove themselves and show what they can do in competition. Even before talk of a shortened preseason, fresh faces were facing an uphill battle. Instead, this could give a leg up to players returning from last year’s roster since they’re already familiar with the playbook.

As it stands, the NFL’s preseason is set to kick off on August 6th with the Steelers facing the Cowboys in the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame game.

Latest On NFL, COVID-19

June 9th, 2020 at 6:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although the NFL has approved coaches to return to team facilities (where local regulations allow), more than half of the league’s staffs were still working from home as of last Friday, according to Barry Wilner of the Associated Press. Many teams appear to be taking a cautious approach as COVID-19 lingers, and it’s possible that a number of clubs won’t come back to team sites until training camp begins. Indeed, that’s the attitude the Saints are taking, and other teams may follow suit.

Here’s more on the impact of COVID on the NFL:

The cancellation of Week 1 of the preseason is on the table, as Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reports. In such a scenario, NFL teams would still report to training camp at their usual times, but the first week of the exhibition campaign would simply be canceled. The idea, per Breer, would be to limit soft tissue injuries as players ramp back into shape. Additionally, removing one week of the preseason would also reduce travel obligations and thus limit potential exposure to COVID.
Other COVID-related scenarios could also be at play, as Breer writes in a separate piece. One idea that’s been floated is delaying the start of the regular season until October. That would obviously be a large step, but Breer says some teams are in favor of such a move. Meanwhile, the NFL’s joint committee on health and safety has recommended a multi-week, pre-training camp acclimation period for players in order to allow them to get back into shape.
New Jersey dropped its stay-at-home order today, and the state’s governor recently said he’s not ruling out the idea of playing NFL games with fans in the stands. “I think it’s too early to tell,” Governor Phil Murphy said on WFAN (link via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). “I think it’s a great aspiration. And outdoors is better than indoors with this virus. There’s no question about that. A ball game outside? Potentially.” Both the Giants and Jets, of course, play their home games in New Jersey.
Although the virtual component to this offseason will technically end when players are permitted to return to team facilities, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes that Monday’s NFL memo encourages teams to continue conducting player meetings in a virtual capacity. With meetings taking place constantly at team facilities, this would be a major change. And if teams insist on having players at meetings in-person, the league would prefer these sessions are conducted outside and with players in masks. These backdrops would make for unusual film sessions.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

New Jersey Drops Stay-At-Home Orders

June 9th, 2020 at 3:10pm CST by Zachary Links

The state of New Jersey has dropped its stay-at-home orders effective immediately, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Tuesday. Most importantly, this marks a return to life-as-usual and business-as-usual for millions in the Garden State. In terms of football, it’s a major roadblock lifted for the Jets and Giants as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Most states have at least partially-reopened in recent days, with California, Tennessee, and Oregon working through a regional reopening plan. That has resulted in a clear path for most of the NFL’s teams, though the 49ers, Rams, Chargers, and Titans are still waiting for full clearance. The Cowboys’ offseason plans have also been impacted – they’ll hold training camp in Texas, per the NFL’s mandate, rather than their usual site in Oxnard, CA.

Meanwhile, the NFL and NFLPA may allow rookies and relocated veterans to participate in on-site offseason activities before the originally planned date on June 26. And, earlier this month, the NFL permitted coaching staffs to return to facilities. There are still major COVID-19-related hurdles to clear, including salary cap negotiations with the players’ union, but the NFL is moving full steam ahead with the intention of kicking off the season in September.

The NFL also hopes to have fans in attendance for games at full capacity. The state of Texas is similarly optimistic, having already OK’d teams to fill stadiums halfway.

Latest On NFL Salary Cap Talks

June 8th, 2020 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL-NFLPA discussions regarding training camp have begun and have already produced fallout regarding training camp procedures. But the sides have yet to discuss money, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer. That will be on tap soon.

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened to throw off the NFL’s steady growth, injecting the very real possibility the 2021 salary cap plummets. The cap has not decreased since 2011, and reports of the nature of the reduction have lacked clarity on the numbers front. But $50MM and $80MM reduction predictions been floated.

Both the league and the union expect any loss to be a one-time blip, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. The league must renegotiate its TV deals by 2022. Its ESPN contract expires after the 2021 season; the other network deals conclude after the ’22 campaign. Those new contracts have always been predicted to produce significant cap spikes. However, cap spikes from a reduced 2021 number would be a bit different than the early-2020s boom that was anticipated when this CBA was ratified.

How the owners and players determine a salary cap adjustment, however, could be tricky. A players-side source informed Graziano there “is not going to be a conversation about reducing our revenue.” The players are also viewing 2020 salary cuts — mentioned as a possibility in advance of these talks — as a non-starter, Graziano adds. Unlike baseball, however, these talks will not affect the 2020 season.

The combination of both sides viewing this as a financial blip and the players coming out of the gate bearish on sacrificing revenue would point to a scenario where the parties borrow from projected future revenue to prevent a 2021 cap freefall. This would impact future cap increases, however. Some early hypotheses point to the next round of TV deals being frontloaded to help cover COVID-19’s financial impact, Graziano adds.

The salary cap is determined each March, so a precise number will not be known for many months. The league and the union, though, will need to hammer out a complicated agreement — which will hinge on how many fans will be allowed to attend games this fall — in the coming weeks.

NFL To Allow Players To Return To Facilities?

June 8th, 2020 at 11:07am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL’s first ever “virtual” OTA period may wrap up in real life. The NFL and the NFLPA are discussing a scenario in which rookies and newly acquired veterans can return to team facilities before June 26, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).

No dates have been set or discussed yet, but this would mark a monumental step forward for the league in its quest to keep the offseason moving along and stay on track for regular season kickoff in September. It’s unlikely that minicamps will take place, Pelissero notes, but the advanced timeline would allow fresh faces to get familiar with their new surroundings.

Per the league’s memo, there will be protocols in place to help reduce the risk of viral spread. That includes reconfigured locker rooms to keep players ~6 feet apart, disinfected gear after each game, and mandatory masks, unless they get in the way of “athletic activities.” Once they report to camp, players will be required to wear masks for all non-football-related activities. The memo also indicates a 15-player max in weight rooms at a given time.

Of course, social distancing on the football field is impossible, but the league hopes that these protocols will lower the chances of new coronavirus cases.

Load More Posts