The Cincinnati Bengals might have to bring fewer players than usual to training camp this year as the NFL and NFLPA change normal operating policy in the face of a pandemic.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the most recent negotiations featured the NFLPA advocating for a reduction of normal rosters by 10 players, bringing the total down to a maximum of 80.
The updates featured some details on outlined operating procedure:
The union also wants no more than 20 players in a given facility at one time during the initial acclimatization period (training and conditioning) covering the first 21 days of camp. The number doubles to a maximum of 40 during the next phase of 10 days of non-contact practices.
So, basically, teams would have to operate in multiple shift for the first 31 days of camp, if the NFLPA’s recommendation is accepted. The final two weeks of preseason preparation, involving 10 practices (eight padded) would entail the entire roster.
As we’ve noted, a reduction in maximum roster capacity down from 90 is possibly a bad sign for Bengals undrafted free agents and other bubble players.
Right now, the Bengals would technically have to trim the roster by four or five players to meet an 80-player maximum. Given the circumstances, players who already have knowledge of Zac Taylor’s systems would presumably take priority over new faces.
