COVID-19 - Pro Football Rumors

Texas To Allow Fans At Games

May 28th, 2020 at 2:23pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this month, Texas gave the greenlight for professional sports to return to the state, effective Monday. Today, Governor Greg Abbott updated his order to allow fans to attend games in outdoor stadiums, up to 25% capacity (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).

While states like California have mostly kept restrictions in place, Texas has moved quickly in recent days to ease many of its rules and guidelines. The disparity has the Cowboys considering training camp in the Lone Star State, as opposed to their usual base in Oxnard, California.

As more states move to open up for business, optimism for the 2020 NFL season has increased. Still, there are major hurdles to clear and, perhaps, some negotiations needed between the NFLPA and the league office. Recently, union lead DeMaurice Smith pumped the breaks a bit, saying that he was less-than-certain about the season going on as planned.

Meanwhile, the NFL continues to eye minicamps in June with hopes of having regular season games at full fan capacity.

Cowboys Considering Holding Training Camp In Texas

May 27th, 2020 at 7:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys confirmed they are making preparations to hold training camp at their Frisco, Texas, headquarters. However, this is only if they cannot do so at their usual camp home (Oxnard, Calif.).

This previously rumored scenario may be necessary if California does not give the go-ahead for training camps to be held in the state. The Cowboys have conducted 14 training camps in Oxnard, but the COVID-19 pandemic has removed certainty they will be allowed to conduct a 15th in the southern California city. Texas will allow pro sports to resume starting May 31.

“As a staff, we’re planning for a full training camp, and we’re also planning for a training camp in Oxnard; we’re planning for a training camp in Frisco,” Mike McCarthy said, via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams. “We spent an enormous amount of time in the planning phase because it is our first camp together. So we’re just trying to be ready for when the NFL and those big decisions are made that we’re not running around trying to adhere to a different schedule.”

The 49ers have considered moving their training camp out of California as well, and the Chargers and Rams almost certainly have done so. With both New Jersey and New York announcing that training camps will be permitted — and Pennsylvania following suit Wednesday — momentum appears to be building for teams to be able to begin camps on time at their preferred location. California has yet to make such a proclamation, and the Cowboys are progressing on their contingency plan.

DeMaurice Smith On Likelihood Of 2020 Season

May 27th, 2020 at 12:59pm CST by Rory Parks

As a result of gradual reopening measures being instituted across the country, green lights for teams in some states to resume play, and a recent statement from the NFL indicating that the league is planning on a full season in front of full stadiums, football fans have been getting their hopes up over the past few days. But in order to continue moving forward, the league obviously needs cooperation from its players, and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith is still uncertain as to whether there will be a 2020 season.

In a recent episode of HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (via Mike Florio of PFT), Smith was asked if he believes games will be played in 2020. On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being “absolutely certain,” Smith said, “I’m gonna go with a, you know, probably a six, seven.”

“But, you know, look, a lot depends on what happens with the other sports,” Smith continued. “And to say that we aren’t looking at what’s going to be happening in basketball and baseball — and we’re not looking at how they work through these things, we would — I’d be lying to you if we’re not. So how about if I go with six, seven on a curve?”

Smith, just like union president J.C. Tretter, is perhaps pushing back a bit to remind everyone that the union needs to be involved in the decision-making, particularly if there are going to be major logistical or financial adjustments to the standard operating procedures. Obviously, we are still nearly two months away from the start of training camp and over three months away from the start of the regular season, so there is plenty of time for the league and the NFLPA to come up with an agreed-upon course of action.

There was a report yesterday suggesting that the league could hold minicamps at the end of June, which Tretter subsequently refuted. And indeed, coaches from multiple teams tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com that their staffs aren’t returning to team facilities until training camp (Twitter link). Even if the league and union were to authorize in-person work earlier than that, some teams would not take advantage of that opportunity and would continue to conduct matters virtually.

But if teams are able to hold training camp more or less as normal, then Week 1 can get underway just as it otherwise would. And to that end, Albert Breer of SI.com says the NFL and NFLPA joint committee on health safety are continuing to discuss various solutions (Twitter links). One proposal would see some players back in team facilities by the end of June to test protocols, followed by two to three weeks of strength and conditioning. Then, when training camp begins, helmeted practices can get underway.

Meanwhile, NFL engineers and sports equipment company Oakley are testing prototypes of facemasks that contain surgical or N95 material, per a recent report from ESPN. NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer said the new designs could feasibly cover a player’s entire facemask, and while such a design would not be a complete safeguard against the transmission of the coronavirus, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

AFC West Notes: Bolts, Wilkinson, Raiders

May 26th, 2020 at 5:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

The COVID-19 pandemic will make rookies’ transitions more difficult, and quarterbacks will face a tough learning curve. As a result, Tyrod Taylor is expected to open the season as the Chargers‘ starting quarterback, Daniel Popper of The Athletic writes (subscription required). That arrangement may continue for a while. No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert will likely sit at least eight games, Popper predicts, noting that the Bolts are preaching patience with their first Round 1 quarterback pick in 16 years. Anthony Lynn said in early April that Taylor was the Bolts’ starter “for now.” Taylor is undoubtedly a bridge quarterback again, but this bridge may be longer than the one the Browns used to get to Baker Mayfield two years ago.

Let’s look at the latest from the Chiefs’ three challengers in the AFC West:

Defensive lineman Damion Square and the Chargers have expressed mutual interest about another contract, Popper notes. The Bolts originally picked up Square in 2014 and re-signed him in 2017 and ’19. The former UDFA would provide a veteran presence on a defensive line housing Pro Bowlers Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Linval Joseph up front but little experience behind them. Square, now 31, has seen time at defensive tackle and D-end with the Bolts. He started 11 games for the 2018 Chargers, registering three sacks that season.
The Broncos did not add a left tackle in the draft or free agency, planning instead to hold a Garett Bolles-vs.-Elijah Wilkinson competition for the job. The latter will be coming off surgery. Wilkinson underwent an ankle procedure in May, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic notes. Wilkinson, who filled in for Ja’Wuan James as Denver’s starting right tackle for almost all of last season, suffered a high ankle sprain in December. The ailment did not heal properly, postponing the fourth-year player’s recovery. Wilkinson, who signed his second-round RFA tender in April, still hopes to be ready for training camp.
Despite the coronavirus altering the construction of the Raiders‘ Allegiant Stadium, the team is eyeing July 31 as a completion date for the Las Vegas-based domed stadium’s “substantial construction,” Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes. At least 16 workers have tested positive for COVID-19, and Akers adds the near-$2 billion project moved from two shifts to three to allow for social distancing.

Latest On NFL Offseason Program

May 26th, 2020 at 2:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

A report surfaced earlier Tuesday indicating head coaches could return to facilities as early as next week and that June minicamps were still on the table. Although that report did not mention any definitive plan was in the works, some notable pushback has since transpired.

Newly elected NFLPA president J.C. Tretter tweeted that the union has not agreed to any reopening plan. The NFL and NFLPA would need to hammer out an agreement, like they did when the virtual offseason concept emerged. As of now, no return date is in place for coaches and non-injured players. NFL VP of communications Brian McCarthy confirmed no return date exists but that conversations with the NFLPA are ongoing (Twitter link).

The Browns center also referenced the virtual offseason’s June 26 “hard stop” date for offseason activities, potentially indicating the union would not be in favor of in-person minicamps occurring between then and training camp (Twitter link). Training camps begin in late July annually. COVID-19 has not yet affected this start window.

Before the virtual offseason became a full-on reality, some within the league hoped for a midsummer pre-training camp run-up period. This came up in the union’s discussions with the league, but the virtual offseason plan not including it makes it harder to envision players returning before training camp.

For weeks, late July has been viewed as the earliest likely window players will resurface at team facilities. Three GMs confirmed to ESPN.com’s Ed Werder (via Twitter) they have not been given any information about a potential earlier return, and one of those does not expect any in-person activities until training camp.

Currently, the NFL’s offseason policy stipulates no coaches or players can return to team facilities until all 50 states’ various stay-at-home measures cease. But certain other personnel have already returned, in accordance with social-distancing guidelines. Decisions will need to be made soon regarding minicamps. Even if those remain virtual sessions, with New York and New Jersey green-lighting training camps to take place, an end to this virtual period appears in sight.

NFL Still Eyeing June Minicamps

May 26th, 2020 at 11:59am CST by Ben Levine

The NFL has set its sights on a mid- to late-June minicamp, but there are still a handful of hurdles to overcome.

Yahoo’s Charles Robinson reports that the league could allow head coaches to return to team facilities as early as next week. This vicariously means team minicamps could begin “as early as June 15 or as late as June 27.”

The start of minicamps would be dependent on teams getting the green light from their respective state’s government. Specifically, the NFL is awaiting a decision from California governor Gavin Newsom, and there’s hope that he’ll allow “full team operations” for the state’s three organizations. The league would also need the NFL Player’s Association to approve a potential start date.

If minicamps start on June 27th, that’d be about two weeks later than normal. Robinson notes that it’s uncertain whether this start date would have an impact on the start of training camps in July.

Earlier this week, league executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said he’s optimistic that teams will host “full stadiums” in the fall.

Jets, Giants Permitted To Start Training Camp, Play NFL Games

May 26th, 2020 at 9:46am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets, Giants, and other professional sports teams in New Jersey have been given the green light to resume training and “even competition” by the state of New Jersey, per an announcement from Governor Phil Murphy. With that, the NJ-based NFL teams will be permitted to conduct camp in Florham Park and East Rutherford, respectively.

Murphy’s announcement comes on the heels of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s declaration, which will allow the Bills to get back to business. Other states, governing bodies, and leagues seem to be following suit. In a matter of days, the NCAA will Division I football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball to hold voluntary activities and practices. Meanwhile, the NFL plans to stay on schedule for the offseason and the regular season, with the expectation/hope that the games will include “full stadiums.”

The Jets “will begin to open our facility using a phased approach at a time that is most practical for our operations,” a team spokesperson tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Giants issued a similar statement (Twitter link via WFAN’s Kimberly Jones), signaling a cautious approach in their return to the practice field.

Once things get back to normal – or, closer to normal – the Jets’ front office will work on getting a multi-year extension finalized with star safety Jamal Adams. There was talk of the two sides having reached an impasse, but the delay reportedly has more to do with the ongoing pandemic than anything else. The Giants, meanwhile, will monitor the Deandre Baker saga. Baker, a 2019 first-round pick, was expected to serve as one of their starting cornerbacks. Following the incident in Florida, his availability is in question.

NFL Exec: We’re Planning For Full Stadiums

May 24th, 2020 at 11:43am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL is “planning to have full stadiums” in the fall, league executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent says. Still, the league will yield to professionals and government restrictions before opening up the gates.

“We are planning to have full stadiums until the medical community tells us otherwise,” Vincent told The Team 980 (transcription via NBC Sports). “Now, remember when we’re talking — we’re talking about September, August, September. So there’s a lot that can happen here. So we’re planning for full stadiums.”

Vincent went on to explain that the league has contingencies in place for multiple scenarios. That could include “half stadiums,” and stadiums that are filled to just “three-quarters” capacity. Games could still be played without fans in attendance, of course, but it’s a major shift in tone from what we were hearing just a few short weeks ago.

The NFL could still rake in considerable revenue without fans, thanks to their TV contracts, but gate attendance still accounts for billions of dollars league-wife. If it’s feasible and safe for fans to fill the seats, Vincent says the league will find a way to make it happen.

New York To Allow Training Camp For Pro Sports Teams, Effective Today

May 24th, 2020 at 11:28am CST by Zachary Links

Effective today, professional sports teams will be permitted to being training camps in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). Naturally, teams will also have to follow appropriate health protocols, Cuomo says.

Cuomo’s announcement gives the Bills the greenlight to hold training camp in Pittsford, NY on the campus of St. John Fisher College. This also opens up a potential avenue for the Jets and Giants, who ordinarily hold their camps in Florham Park and East Rutherford, New Jersey, respectively. For the last couple of months, teams in hotspot states like New York, New Jersey, and California have been weighing alternate sites in states that have lifted their restrictions. If New Jersey continues to stay on lockdown, the two Meadowlands teams may see a move to New York as an easier and more cost effective solution.

On the whole, it’s an encouraging sign for the NFL, professional sports, and the country as a whole. Soon, we could see restrictions eased in even more NFL-hosting states.

Starting June 1, the NCAA will allow voluntary activities for Division I football and basketball. The NFL is moving in a similar direction and plans to play things by ear, in accordance with their phase-by-phase program.

Latest On College Football’s Plans

May 22nd, 2020 at 10:10am CST by Rory Parks

Some important news on the college football front. Per Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, the NCAA Division I Council has voted to approve voluntary athletic activities in football, as well as men’s and women’s college basketball (Twitter link).

Those activities can begin on June 1 and can run through June 30. This is the first step in attempting to forge ahead with a college football season, which will obviously play a major role in the 2021 NFL draft (the NFL has already said that it will not open up this summer’s supplemental draft to collegiate players who are facing the prospect of a shortened or canceled season).

Of course, some states remain in full lockdown mode, and others are in various stages of reopening, which will presumably impact these voluntary activities. The NFL has expressed optimism that COVID-19 testing will be widespread by August, which may allow the league to largely proceed as it otherwise would. College football, which is itself a massively lucrative industry, is clearly hoping for the same.

After all, according to a report from Syracuse University, only the athletic departments of Georgia and Texas A&M could be self-sustaining without college football ticket sales (Twitter link via Mark Passwaters of Rivals.com). So expect the NCAA to continue doing everything in its power to make sure games are played in front of fans in 2020.

NCAA president Mark Emmert recently said that there would be no college football if college campuses are not open (story via Zach Braziller of the New York Post). But as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk opined, the definition of “open campus” is likely to be a malleable one so that football can be played even if traditional classes aren’t in session.

COVID-19 News & Rumors