The NFL is still figuring out how they will have players return to facilities safely as the coronavirus pandemic continues to be an issue across the globe. After releasing protocols on distancing and forcing teams to hold their training camps in their home facilities, the NFLPA told agents the plan is to test players three times a week with a saliva test.
This per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network:
According to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, the union expects to make headway on overall protocols going forward in the next 30 days or so. Scheduled start of camp for most teams is six weeks away.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 15, 2020
There are still details which need to be hashed out before players return, but a player who tests positive would be isolated for an extended period of time. DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA, stated the union is hoping to get all protocols done before training camps start in about six weeks.
On top of the health protocols, the NFL is looking at losing billions if there are no fans in stands during the 2020 regular season. In fact, it is an estimated $3 billion dollars of revenue lost across the league if fans are forced to stay home.
If empty stadiums could result in $3B lost NFL revenue, as mentioned on NFLPA call w/ agents, future revenue looms large to soften salary cap blow -- 17 games, gambling money etc could push cap toward $300M by 2030, so borrowing from future years to settle 2021 cap woes possible
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 15, 2020
However, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN points out, the league has options to prevent the salary cap from plummeting in 2021. The league having a 17-game schedule combined with legal gambling money could see the salary cap push to new heights by 2030. According to Fowler, the league is considering borrowing from future earnings to help settle any cap issues they have in 2021 as the coronavirus pandemic is hopefully in the past.
Plenty still has to be ironed out before players report back to facilities and football in a safe fashion, and as more updates are released you can expect to see them right here at DKPittsburghSports.com.
