NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has sent a memo to all 32 teams that they can reopen team facilities — with a few qualifications — as early as next Tuesday.
No coaches or healthy players will be permitted on the premises, though.
The Steelers acknowledged the memo Friday night.
“We will begin the process of opening our facilities on Tuesday, May 19, with a limited number of staff being permitted in our buildings,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a statement. “Health and safety of our employees will continue to be our priority as we phase up to the fully allowed staff level.”
All NFL facilities have been shut down since mid-March, when the coronavirus pandemic began. Since then, teams have had to create alternate forms of communication and "practice" via virtual meetings and other remote solutions. This memo, however, paves the way toward real, in-person work once more.
But it's far from a return to normalcy.
"Clubs may reopen their facilities beginning on May 19 if they are permitted to do so under governing state and local regulations, are in compliance with any additional public health requirements in their jurisdiction," Goodell wrote.
That last point references a guide Goodell and the NFL sent to clubs to help them re-acclimate to post-coronavirus times earlier this month. Now, they're taking the next step in the process.
However positive as this sounds — and any progress is just that — there are some important notes in Goodell's latest memo.
"Clubs may have no more than 50 percent of staff in the facility, not to exceed 75 persons," the memo states.
Then the biggest kicker: "No members of the coaching staff may return to the facility. This is important to ensure equity among all 32 clubs. Clubs may otherwise decide which employees may return to the facility, which may include members of the personnel, football operations or football administration staff, equipment staff, medical staff, and nutritionists."
The strength and conditioning coach, the memo says, is not among these allowed to return unless he or she is currently working with a rehabilitating athlete there.
And yeah, this line matters, too: "No players may be in the facility other than those currently undergoing medical treatment or rehabilitation."
While this is clearly not a return to full capacity or the "full swing of things," it's yet another example of the NFL taking charge in these coronavirus times. It's not the finish line, but it's an inspired stride in that direction.
The concessions made in the memo matter, too. Just ask Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
"I would imagine that day is coming," Tomlin said in a recent conference call when asked about a return to normal operations. "When that day is coming, I do not know. There are a couple of things we’re committed to adhering to. That’s the global approach of the National Football League, the football ops, how important competitive fairness is to getting started in our game. Also, respecting our local government."
In keeping coaches and players off the premises, the NFL ensures, as Goodell put it, "equity." With the coronavirus impacting different cities and regions differently, that undoubtedly will become a huge talking point as activities resume.
For now, though, consider this a positive sign for things to come.
