1. Offseason workouts delayed indefinitely
On Monday night, the NFL announced that off-season activities for players have been delayed indefinitely.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that, following discussions with NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and consultations between the medical teams for the NFL and NFLPA, and based on coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance from public health officials, NFL clubs will delay indefinitely the start of their off-season programs. In addition, special procedures will be in place for the start of the new League Year until further notice.
Information for off-season program stipulates ...
Off-Season Team Activities will not commence on April 6 for teams with new head coaches and April 20 for all other clubs. The parties will periodically meet and reassess the public health situation to determine an appropriate start date for any offseason team activities and other related considerations as this situation develops.
Free agents will not be allowed to travel to NFL facilities when free agency begins on Wednesday at 4 pm.
During the upcoming free agency period, which begins on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18, NFL clubs may not bring any free agent player to a club facility or other location to meet with club personnel. Further, club personnel, including members of the club medical staff, may not travel to any location to meet with or conduct a medical examination of a free agent player.
The NFL and NFLPA are developing protocols that will provide clubs with opportunities to review a free agent player's medical records from his prior club(s) and to arrange for a free agent player to have a medical exam in the player's home city or at another nearby location. These steps are consistent with those announced last Friday for club contact with draft-eligible college players.
NFL teams will also close their facilities to players for the next two weeks.
As a further step to address issues relating to coronavirus (COVID-19), NFL clubs will close their facilities to players, other than those undergoing medically-supervised rehabilitation and treatment, for the next two weeks.
2. Will Tre'Davious White get a rematch against this premier receiver in 2020?
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth round pick are reportedly being traded to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a second round pick this year and a fourth round pick next year. The Bills will play the Cardinals on the road in 2020. That means one of the best corners in the NFL, Tre'Davious White, could have a rematch against one of the best wide receivers in the league.
White faced Hopkins when the Bills played the Texans in the first round of the playoffs this past season. Hopkins finished the game catching six of eight targets for 90 receiving yards. White finished the game with five tackles and a forced fumble.
3. NFL Draft to start on April 23; Public events cancelled
The NFL announced on Monday that the NFL Draft will proceed as scheduled on April 23 to 25 but due to information the NFL has gathered on COVID-19, plans surrounding the draft will be modified. NFL Commissioner Roger Godell announced public events at the NFL Draft in Las Vegas will be cancelled.
"This decision reflects our foremost priority – the health and safety of all fans and citizens," said Commissioner Goodell. "While this outcome is disappointing both to the NFL and to the Las Vegas community, we look forward to partnering with the Raiders, the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a future NFL Draft as well as evaluating opportunities for other major NFL events in Las Vegas in the future, including the Super Bowl."
In the weeks leading up to the draft, the NFL will continue to explore options for how the draft will be conducted.
