The NFL has had to call multiple audibles this offseason, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, such as holding a virtual draft and at-home mini camps for players. But when it comes to training camp later this summer, the league reportedly isn’t budging on its plans.
According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, the NFL is expected to begin training camps on time in late July and in person. Pauline also states the league likely won’t make a decision on whether to cancel or postpone camps “until the last minute” and says first-year players will be allowed at team facilities. He goes into more detail below:
I’m told training camps are expected to open on time in July and the league will wait until the last minute before making any announcement should any changes be necessary. Team facilities are not expected to be fully opened until July camp. As one source told me, teams do not want players working out at their facilities in May or June.
The one exception to that will be physicals for rookies and undrafted free agents. As travel restrictions begin lifting across the country, most teams are expected to bring in the first-year players for comprehensive physicals.
Unlike the other three major sports leagues in the country, which were suspended in mid-March, the NFL has the benefit of starting their season in the fall. They can forge ahead with plans and make decisions at a later date depending on the situation. As of today, the only part of the NFL season disrupted by the pandemic was the league’s international series, which was cancelled Monday morning.
Like all NFL fans, the league is hopeful the season will begin on time and having training camp take place as scheduled will be a major step in achieving that goal.
