With the start of the NFL new league year scheduled for March 18, news continues to circulate surrounding the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) and how it’s affecting the game of professional football. There have been many updates and developments throughout the league on Thursday and we’ve got it all in one place for you. Here’s the latest on what we are hearing.
NFL teams are pulling scouts and coaches off the road due to the possible spread of the coronavirus
Pro Football Network Insider Tony Pauline reports that teams are about to pull the plug on coaches, scouts, and personnel people flying to workouts due to the possible spread of the coronavirus.
Already, we’ve seen the New York Jets, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins take this action. Other teams have since followed suit and we expect this trend to continue.
That said, travel by car for some teams is still likely to be permitted. At this time, the responsibilities fall on the teams on whether or not they decide to pull scouts and coaches from the road.
Pro days and individual workouts are in jeopardy
Sources tell Pauline that pro days and individual workouts are in jeopardy. 30 scouts from 18 teams were on hand for today’s pro day at Princeton but sources leaving Princeton’s workout told me, “After today, pro days are f*cked.”
Private workouts are already being canceled as teams are not letting coaches fly to destinations to work out and interview players. Furthering the issue are college campuses shutting down and wanting everyone off property. While there has been no official announcement as of this time, the belief is that schools will cancel pro days.
Pauline also says that there is speculation that this will also affect the 30 visit rule for teams, who are unlikely to fly players to their facilities.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the NFL has not cancelled any pro days or individual workouts. It’ll be at each team’s discretion to do so.
NFL has no plans as of now to delay the start of the league year because of the coronavirus
Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network: “The NFL says it has no plans to move the start of the league year. Still on for next Wednesday, March 18.” Pelissero goes on to tweet that the window in which the big-ticket free agents typically agree to terms comes between the start of the legal-tampering period; this window spans from 12pm ET on March 16 – 4pm ET on March 18th.
One agent is recommending his clients don’t travel for team visits
Mike McCartney of Priority Sports stated today in a tweet it’s his recommendation that his players don’t travel for any team visits. McCartney has spent time involved in both college football and the NFL as a coach, scout, and personnel executive and is currently an an agent at Priority Sports.
Potential top-100 prospect decided against flying back to school
Throughout the day today, I have been notified of more and more individual workouts being cancelled by teams. In one instance a player cancelled his individual workout. This player, a potential top-100 choice, is training in Florida but was scheduled to fly back to his school for the private workout and decided flying back was not a good thing.
Status of NFL Draft still undecided
With the NFL Draft six weeks away, there has not been a decision yet on the status of the event in Las Vegas. With close to 100,000 people expected to be in attendance, the fear is that the coronavirus could be easily spread. However, Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports that a source told him, “We have time.” The source expressed that the NFL hopes to preserve the live event but will adjust if needed.
League Meeting has been canceled
The NFL released a statement regarding the cancellation of the Annual League Meeting. The statement reads:
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the clubs today that after careful consideration and consultation with medical experts, the NFL’s annual meeting scheduled for March 29-April 1 has been canceled.
There will be full consideration and votes on any open football issues, including playing rules, bylaws, and resolutions, as well as other business matters that were on the agenda for the Annual Meeting, at the Spring meeting scheduled for May 19-20. Most of the first day will be dedicated to football-related issues. Head coaches and general managers will participate in the meeting.
This decision was made consistent with the league’s primary concern to protect the health of club and league employees and the public while enabling the league to continue with its essential business operations.
We will continue to closely monitor developments, consult with leading experts, and be prepared to make any changes necessary as circumstances warrant.
The broader impact beyond the NFL
Since the World Health Organization announced the spreading of the coronavirus as a pandemic, it’s forced different sporting events such as the NCAA conference tournaments to cancel. On top of that, the NBA decided last night that the entire season will be postponed as Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert was diagnosed with the disease. Since that time, the MLS, MLB, and NHL have all suspended their seasons.
The staff at Pro Football Network will continue monitoring developments surrounding all NFL news and how the coronavirus plays a role on upcoming events.