NFL expected to cut preseason in half

The NFL is going to have to make some tough decisions in the coming weeks as it pertains to several topics. Players returning to facilities in a safe fashion will be paramount, but the length of the preseason would come in second on the priority list.

According to multiple sources, the NFL has reportedly decided to cancel Weeks 1 and 4 in the preseason, leaving only two preseason games for teams to evaluate and prepare for an upcoming regular season.

For the Steelers it would be the 2020 preseason schedule would change dramatically:

Steelers vs. Buccaneers - 8/14 - CANCELLED
Steelers vs. Saints - 8/23
Steelers at Jets - 8/28
Steelers at Panthers - 9/3 - CANCELLED

Looking at the dates, it is important to note these are subject to change. The Steelers would play one game at home, and one on the road in the abridged preseason, but unlikely to be just five days apart. Coaches certainly are going to be worried about the amount of time they have to get their players prepared, as well as to give players a chance to prove themselves worthy of a roster spot.

Mike Tomlin addressed this last week in a virtual press conference.

"I’m not comfortable, but I imagine none of my peers are comfortable either, so I’m comfortable with that." Tomlin said. "Physical conditioning is going to be a significant element of this process. It’s going to define their journey and ours collectively. Those that are communal conditioners are working at a disadvantage in this 2020 environment. Those that are new to professional football and what’s really physically required of them through the evaluation process are working at a distinct advantage. We talk openly about that elephant in the room. It doesn’t lessen the anxiety. Man, we better have a group of guys that come ready to work from a physical conditioning standpoint, and if we do, we will be able to navigate the other challenges. If we don’t, all the other challenges are going to be magnified. That is a true statement for us and the other 31 [teams] as well."

The reported cancellation of two preseason games wasn't the only aspect of a typical offseason which was cancelled. The league reportedly decided not to have the supplemental draft this year. The supplemental draft started in 1977 and is intended for college football players whose eligibility status changed after the deadline to enter the draft. The 2019 supplemental draft saw just one player drafted, with the Cardinals spending a fifth-round pick on safety Jalen Thompson.

Expect more changes to come from the league in the coming days, and when they do we will have all those right here at DKPittsburghSports.com.