NFL Releases Training Camp Dates With Major Question Marks Still Looming

How will players report next week with several issues yet to be decided?

Author:
Dave Holcomb
Publish date:
Jul 18, 2020 6:24 PM EDT

Plenty still must be answered in regards to how an NFL season occurs this fall, but when it is expected to begin has been announced.

The NFL released start dates for training camp through an e-mail Saturday. Rookies and select veterans will report on Tuesday, July 21 while quarterbacks and injured players are expected at camp on Thursday, July 23. All other players will report on Tuesday, July 28 according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.

All training camps will take place this July at team practice facilities in order to protect players and staff from COVID-19. Every club is also expected to follow coronavirus guidelines, which include keeping six feet between each player in the locker room, wearing masks inside the facility and conducting meetings either virtually or outside where social distancing measures can be met.

How all the NFL teams actually pull this off remains to be seen.

However, even with this announcement, there's plenty for the NFL and NFLPA to still solve. For one, the league doesn't yet know how it will deal with reduced revenues likely coming because of fewer or no fans at stadiums this fall. The NFL and the players association also still disagree on the number of preseason games to be played and on the classification for players who test positive to COVID-19.

It's hard to image players cheerfully reporting to training camp without answers to these problems, but the league appears ready to strong arm the players association into action. Now if the players don't report next week, the media coverage will likely reflect negatively upon the players association.