NFL Considering Postponing Free Agency Once CBA Voting Closes
By Brady Williams
With everything from the NCAA Tournament to the NHL getting called off due to the now pandemic COVID-19 virus, many fans are looking to the NFL to see whether or not it'll be the next to disrupt their operations. While the league hasn't made a decision to postpone anything yet, it may opt to postpone free agency, which is set to get underway next week, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.
A league source has stated that it's looking into the possibility of delaying the start of proceedings once voting on the new collective bargaining agreement comes to an end on Sunday.
Source: NFL is considering delaying free agency on Sunday, after CBA voting has closed https://t.co/t6DixvJjO7
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 12, 2020
The league reportedly understands how it might not look great for their players to sign enormous payment contracts while the nation is in a full-blown panic. However, with public events closing across the United States, NFL facilities could be the next thing to shut down. Some teams have already gone as far as to recall scouts and ban employees from air travel.
Two notes:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
— The NFL has not cancelled any pre-draft visits or workouts. That’s at a team’s discretion.
— The biggest issue for free agency may be getting players physicals. Every year, there is 1 or 2 players who fail, but how does a team ask them to get on a commercial flight?
Perhaps most importantly, the issue of travel has been at the heart of the coronavirus crisis to begin with. Transmission is far more likely when someone picks up and travels across the country, and if the NBA has proven anything, even professional athletes can be affected.
With multiple problems facing the NFL ahead of free agency, the league will make the important decision once voting on the new CBA has concluded.