The National Football League opted to go ahead with the start of the 2020 new league year and free agency despite the outbreak of COVID-19 that is circling the globe.
In order to proceed with caution and keep players, staff and others safe in the process, the league did make a number of adjustments, including closing team facilities, effectively halting the physicals clubs require of players before contracts can become official.
The NFL has now taken things a step further related to reaching new deals.
“NFL teams are placing coronavirus-related provisions in their contracts stating that a failed physical will result in forfeited signing bonus money, league sources told ESPN,” reports Jeremy Fowler.
Fowler states there is uncertainty as to just how many teams are utilizing these virus-related provisions.
Due to the increased demand for medical staff around the country, the logistics of finding available doctors to perform player physicals may delay the process for weeks and months.
As of now, players are continuing to sign their new deals – with or without the provision – and keeping their fingers crossed for the best.
