NFL, NFLPA announce delay to start of offseason workout program because of coronavirus
The nationwide COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak didn’t stop Monday’s launch of the NFL’s open negotiation period ahead of Wednesday’s start of free agency.
But the league’s business-as-usual approach won’t apply to offseason team activities.
The NFL and NFLPA announced Monday night an indefinite delay to the start of teams’ offseason workout programs, which were scheduled to begin April 6 for teams with new head coaches and April 20 for all other teams, including the Chiefs.
The decision was made after the NFL and NFLPA consulted with medical teams, and based on guidance from public health officials.
“Based on the most recent guidance provided by leading health officials, and in consultation with the NFLPA and both our and the union’s medical advisors, we believe this is the appropriate way to protect the health of our players, staff, and our communities,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We will continue to make decisions based on the best advice from medical and public health experts and will be prepared to make further modifications as needed.”
Changes with safety and health in mind aren’t limited to the teams’ offseason workout programs.
NFL clubs are scheduled to close their team facilities to players for the next two weeks. An exception applies to players undergoing medically supervised rehabilitation and treatment.
The start of the league’s new calendar year, which begins Wednesday at 3 p.m. Central Time, brings the beginning of free agency.
NFL teams like the Chiefs, however, are prohibited from hosting free agents at their facilities or other locations. Additionally, team personnel are not allowed to travel to another location to meet or conduct medical evaluations on a free agent.
Because contracts aren’t signed until after a physical, the NFL and NFLPA are in the process of developing procedures that will allow teams the opportunity to review a free agent’s medical records from his previous team. The protocol would also allow for a free agent to go through a medical examination in his home city or at another nearby location.
“It is our responsibility to work together and protect the health, safety and well-being of everyone in our business,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement. “Nonetheless, public safety is paramount during this national emergency and we will continue to work with the NFL, medical experts and seek guidance from federal agencies to adjust our business practices accordingly.”
The NFL earlier in the day announced a change to the NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas. The event will no longer be open to the public but will still be televised.
