Could the Cleveland Browns get less preseason time with the new coaching staff? Based on a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it might happen.
Pelissero is reporting that the NFL and NFLPA are considering reducing the 2020 preseason from four games down to two. It’s a concession to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions still in place in many NFL cities.
“Nothing finalized or imminent,” Pelissero said, “but multiple team executives informed of talks currently believe they could end up playing two preseason games, rather than four.”
It’s unknown which of the games would be trimmed. Right now, the Browns preseason schedule looks like this:
Week 1 – August 15, 1 p.m. at Chicago Bears
Week 2 – August 22, 4 p.m. at Green Bay Packers
Week 3 – August 30, 4 p.m. Minnesota Vikings
Week 4 – Sept. 3, TBD Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players are still not allowed in team facilities other than to receive medical treatment. Just last week the NFL ruled there will be no joint practice sessions and all teams must hold training camps at their own home city facilities.
For a team like the Browns with an all-new coaching staff led by rookie coach Kevin Stefanski, the loss of actual game reps could be a major hindrance.
