As the rest of the sports world shutters stadiums and postpones games because of concern about the spread of coronavirus, the NFL faces decisions about its offseason.
The next big events on the league’s calendar are the annual spring meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., and the NFL Draft in Las Vegas. The league said this week that both remain on schedule.
Free agency also begins Monday with the legal tampering period, when most of the big names agree to deals, and the NFL said it does not intend to push it back. The league year, when the salary cap is set and free agents can officially sign, is still expected to begin Wednesday. That is also the first day free agents are allowed to visit team facilities.
If the teams close their facilities, or limit the number of people allowed in them, the dynamics of free agency could change. Players might be unable to take physicals inside the building. Free agents would not be able to meet with potential bosses or teammates in person. That’s if they’re willing to take a commercial flight to the city at all.
The league meetings, where owners, coaches and executives converge to make plans for the upcoming season, are scheduled to start March 29. While that event is not open to public, it draws media from around the country.
Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, who is 97, attends the event every year.
The draft, meanwhile, brings crowds of thousands. It runs April 23-25 on the Las Vegas Strip.
While neither South Florida nor Las Vegas has had an extensive outbreak of COVID-19, that could change over the next few weeks. There is also concern about travel to those events and others.
The Redskins announced Thursday they are pulling all coaches and scouts off the road immediately and canceling visits for draft prospects, and ESPN reported the Jets are doing the same. Teams are also mulling closing their practice facilities.
The Vikings announced they were suspending travel for coaches and scouts until further notice. The team said it was “preparing for remote work protocols, if necessary.” The team stressed proper hand-washing and enhanced disinfecting at the TCO Performance Center, where it practices.
The Eagles will close their training facility and stadium Friday and told staff to work from home, “with limited exceptions.”
Agent Mike McCartney is also advising his clients to skip team visits.
“With 12 or more games played, an All-Star game and Combine for most, teams have enough information to make an informed draft decision,” McCartney tweeted.
The Bears have not commented on any changes to their plans. In addition to the league meeting and draft, they have the Ed Block Courage Award banquet April 7 and the Brian Piccolo Award ceremony April 21. Their annual Bears Care Gala is May 16 at Soldier Field.
The NBA suspended its season Wednesday, and the NHL is expected to make an announcement Thursday. Major League Baseball continues playing spring training games, but teams from highly affected areas are openly discussing plans to relocate or reschedule early-season games.
The next time NFL teams get on the field is in May for rookie minicamp, Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp. Training camp starts in late July, and the first preseason game is Aug. 6 between the Cowboys and Steelers.
The NFL’s upcoming events could be conducted remotely, which opens the possibility of essentially bailing on the elaborate plans to host the draft in Las Vegas. The league could give Vegas another shot in 2022 as it has yet to pick a site for that draft. It will be in Cleveland next year and Kansas City in 2023.
