Bears Cancel Scouts' Trips, Draft Party Due to COVID-19
Free agency will go on for the Chicago Bears and other NFL teams as regularly scheduled, although it will look much different because of COVID-19.
The Bears have suspended all business air travel for team personnel and postponed draft prospect visits to Halas Hall, until further notice.
In a statement about the situation, the Bears also announced they had closed both of their office locations and asked employees to work from home Friday, March 13.
Technology can still make it so NFL teams can hold discussions and get contracts signed with free agents as Skype and or other such connections can be used for talks.
The free agency signing period begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday and on Monday negotiations can begin.
The only change made by the NFL officially so far to any event is to cancel league meetings scheduled for March 29 to April 1 in Florida. Any rule changes or other matters set for then are to be considered at the spring meetings May 19-20 in California.
The NFL Draft appears more likely to be impacted by coronavirus. It is scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas, but if the crisis continues on a change could occur.
The Bears on Thursday canceled their annual draft party for fans, which was scheduled for April 24.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday recommended to owners of all Chicago teams that they shut down sporting events until May 1. The Chicago Wolves minor league hockey team postponed all play until then, while the NHL and NBA had already suspended play. MLB has stopped spring training, as well. The Illinois High School Association was scheduled to hold the state basketball tournament this weekend and had plans to hold it with only a small amount of fans being allowed into games.
The NCAA tournament has been canceled.
Illinois currently has 32 reported cases of coronavirus, which includes several cases of patients who have already recovered.
The decision by the Bears and other teams on Thursday to bring back scouts and coaches from the pro day circuits might not have mattered anyway, because schools have begun canceling their pro days.
Penn State, Michigan, Temple, Rutgers and Tulsa were among the first to be canceled.
A spokesman said the Bears are adhering closely to league protocol and decisions regarding the coronavirus.
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