Sean Payton Doubling Down on Recent Comments Doesn't Bode Well for NFL Starting New League Year on Time
By Michael Luciano
Due to the fact the NFL season doesn't kick off until Sept., they are the only major American sports league not to postpone their regular season due to the coronavirus outbreak.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton does think the league is going to have to do something, however, as he suggests the league year, which is set to start on March 18, will be pushed back until a later date. He doubled-down on these comments earlier this morning, claiming that while he isn't quite sure, he does think there will be some delay.
I asked Sean Payton about these comments. He says “he thinks, he is not sure, but thinks it will be delayed.”
— Dianna (@diannaESPN) March 15, 2020
Nothing formal. https://t.co/CDF2u71ABs
Free agency seems like something that could theoretically proceed as usual without tons of travel or face-to-face contact. However, the increased risk associated with traveling and gathering in large groups could make it difficult for prospective free agents to visit a team's facility, which if often what could swing a prospective free agent.
If the league wants these visits to take place, pushing the league year and, inadvertently, free agency back a few weeks could ultimately be in the best interest of the NFL.
Now, the most probable next step: the league will push back the start of free agency.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) March 15, 2020
Hopefully the pandemic is able to subside before the NFL is forced to perform such an action, but Payton, and at least a handful of other coaches, seem to think the league year will start later than usual.