NFL players launched a “#WeWantToPlay” social media campaign on Sunday, calling out the league’s (lack of) health and safety plans with training camp around the corner amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Well, significant progress has been made between the NFL and NFL Players Association on Monday, beginning with the agreement to daily COVID-19 testing. And on Monday evening, the NFL reportedly offered the NFLPA to play zero preseason games.
NFL offered the NFLPA today to play zero preseason games this summer, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 20, 2020
Per source, the league today offered the union zero preseason games. A big step.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2020
Today also offered — an acclimation period from 7 days to 18 day ramp up. And also opt out for any player has been part of the league’s previous offer. More progress. https://t.co/gt66U3fC6h
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2020
The NFL preseason is usually four games, and it was reduced to two games in recent weeks due to the pandemic. And on Monday morning, the NFL proposed playing just one preseason game. Finally, it appears that the league gave the players what they want: zero preseason games.
Many football evaluators would argue that there shouldn’t be more than a preseason game or two each year anyway, with health arguably more valuable than whatever is gained from exhibition games. So, perhaps this season will serve as a nice test for how preseason should be handled in the future. Now, this is bad news for fringe roster players looking to stand out, and it will be more of a challenge for NFL organizations to use camp and practice to identify what players belong on the roster.
The NFL and NFLPA still need to iron out more details in the coming days, but Monday brought huge steps that should please (at least most of) the players.
Offer? Hell the players that matter do not play anyhow.