New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty knows the cancellation of two preseason games has come without much of a reaction. NFL fans and media members are mostly apathetic toward the exhibition games. Perhaps because of that, the NFLPA is interested in cancelling the remaining two games as an extra precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The first and fourth preseason games are generally hard to watch for fans. The games feature players who, in most cases, won’t make the team. But there is always a player or two who can earn a roster spot — and, in some cases (like that of Malcolm Butler), change the history of the NFL. So McCourty expressed some disappointment that the NFL has cancelled the preseason games.
“For me, just assuming things are flowing, any time you reduce preseason games, I know for some people you look at it and it’s like, ‘Hey, no one goes to those games, they’re not as important, blah, blah, blah.’ But, at the same time, some of your favorite players now were guys that had to go out there and make a name for themselves in those preseason games,” McCourty said on his podcast “Double Coverage” this weekend. “So whenever you see those types of games taken away it hurts because that’s the way guys make the team that they’re on. They make other teams.
“But like you said, at this point, it’s just like what is the safest way to get back on the field and to actually have a season? If that means we’re reducing preseason, whatever the case is, obviously we have to do what we need to do.”
