The NFL is planning to cut the upcoming preseason schedule in half and delay the start of exhibition games to provide teams with extra time for preparation after an entirely virtual offseason. The details were disclosed to the Associated Press by an unidentified source.
The NFL has not officially announced the decision to reduce the number of preseason games from four to two this August. This development came shortly after reports surfaced that the NFL is contemplating issuing liability waivers to fans who wish to attend games to shield teams from potential legal actions related to the coronavirus.
The proposed guidelines are expected to be distributed to the teams in the coming week. “It’s likely to be done electronically, we’re just trying to work through the logistical challenges linked to waivers,” a source told Daniel Kaplan of the Athletic. “We need to figure out the best approach for this.”
When training camps kick off on July 28, teams will be allowed to meet in person. Up until now, all team activities have been conducted remotely via conference calls. Trimming the initial week of preseason games will offer teams additional time to focus on conditioning and team chemistry.
While most game schedules should remain unchanged, a few matchups may need to be adjusted to ensure each team has a home game.
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