Despite current concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL plans to play a full season and expects to release the schedule in May.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation and suspension of a number of sporting events throughout the country and world. The NHL and NBA suspended their seasons and the MLB delayed theirs for the time being. When will these campaigns resume or commence? Right now, your guess is as good as ours.
There are additionally lingering concerns that this could affect the 2020 NFL regular season, and it’s certainly changing the overall calendar — OTAs are currently delayed and may not occur. But ultimately, the NFL is confident a full 2020 season will happen and also expects to release the schedule around May 9.
NFL exec Jeff Pash says on a conference call “our planning, our expectation is fully directed at playing a full season and starting on schedule. … Just as we did in 2019. Am I certain? I’m not certain I’ll be here tomorrow, but I’m planning on it. That’s what we talked about."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 31, 2020
The NFL says the schedule release will likely be around May 9 — no later. So, plan your calendars.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 31, 2020
This is obviously later than usual when it comes to the league’s annual schedule release. Last year, the NFL decided to reveal the entirety of its schedule on April 17.
Teams are still unaware of when they’ll be taking part in certain matchups. Nonetheless, each organization has known their 2020 opponents since December. The opponents for every team were decided at the conclusion of the 2019 regular season.
In mid-March, the league, along with commissioner Roger Goodell, decided to delay the start of offseason programs entirely. Teams with new head coaches were to begin their programs on April 6. The rest of the league, on the other hand, was to begin on April 20.
Confidence goes a long way, but time will be the only true deciding factor in whether the NFL season is delayed, shortened, or canceled altogether.
