A memo from the NFL to its teams, first obtained by ESPN, said offseason team activities (OTAs) will be suspended “indefinitely” and teams may not bring any free agent player to their facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s the first indication that the timing of the 2020 NFL season may be affected by COVID-19.
The league and players’ association released a joint statement confirming the memo shortly after it leaked.
In a memo to teams, the NFL has implemented new rules for free agency and postponed the off-season training activities indefinitely, in a memo obtained by ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gFkSErJBa4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Joint statement from the NFL and NFLPA pic.twitter.com/JjzNqGQi9M
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 17, 2020
“The league and the NFLPA will continue to monitor the developing situation and follow the guidance of medical and public health professionals, including their respective medical advisors, to determine an appropriate start date for such activities and other related considerations,” the memo said.
NFL teams with new head coaches, like the Washington Redskins with Ron Rivera, were supposed to be allowed to begin offseason workout programs on April 6, according to the league calendar. The rest of teams would be allowed to start two weeks later on April 20.
The memo also said no team personnel could travel to meet any free agent.
Earlier Monday, the NFL announced the 2020 draft would still be held April 23-25, but without any of the public events originally scheduled for Las Vegas.
The “legal tampering” window for pending free agents opened Monday with the new league year set to begin Wednesday. There was criticism from some corners that the NFL would go ahead with its original schedule this week amid the global pandemic that has killed more than 7,000 people worldwide and wiped out the rest of the American sports calendar for the time being.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.