Last Thursday the NFL Players Association voted unanimously to recommend that the league cancel all of its preseason games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The union had also already made adjustments to training camps where players could prepare for Week 1 without playing in any exhibition games. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network chimed in on it via Twitter:
With the NFLPA still opposed to preseason games, one possible camp schedule the union has discussed:
3 days: medical/equipment
21 days: strength & conditioning
10 days: unpadded practice
14 days: practice (10 max/8 padded)Then it’d be straight into Week 1.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 3, 2020
Although the NFLPA voted on it, the NFL would still need to approve of the changes if any. The league has already shortened the preseason from 4 games to just 2 after cutting Weeks 1 and 4 from the schedule.
On July 2nd, there was a 2-hour call that included discussions of numerous restrictions due to the pandemic. Some players even voiced their concerns and states “why are we playing at all if it’s this unsafe?”
A few drawbacks can happen with no preseason games. One, would we see numerous players not being involved meaning a field of 90 participants could be cut down to 75. Another thing to think about would be finalizing each team’s roster. How would we know who’s ready to go out and play or not?
L.A. Rams head coach Sean McVay already questioned how football could possibly work with all the safety precautions in place. During a Zoom call alongside L.A. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, McVay wondered how football can be played amid social distancing rules.
“Is this crazy, coach Lynn?” We’re talking about some of this stuff and we’re playing football. I mean we’re going to social distance but we play football? Hey, this is really hard for me to understand all this. I don’t want to be. … I don’t get it. I really don’t.”
We’ll have to see how this plays out if the league decides to cut all preseason games altogether. In my eyes, I don’t see all games being completely cut out. Exhibition games are needed to get the team’s flow of play going. Which player is not best suited for jobs and etc. In an already messed up time, things have to change for the better and safety will always be a priority. Orrrrr should the NFL just cancel the whole season and wait until next year?
