:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66919040/1167101976.jpg.0.jpg)
The NFL intends to start the 2020 regular season on time even with the coronavirus pandemic still ravaging the United States, but the preseason could be cut in half.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the league and the Players Association is discussing the possibility of reducing the preseason from four games to two.
Shortening the preseason would allow for a longer “ramp-up” period, regardless of whether players agree to report a week or two early, and provide extra time for medical experts to finalize game-day protocols for testing, etc. More at the top of the hour on @nflnetwork
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 10, 2020
This news coincides with the report that players won’t actually be returning to team facilities as early as next week.
The Seahawks’ preseason schedule starts on August 13th at home against the Las Vegas Raiders and concludes on September 3rd at the Minnesota Vikings. They had an August 22nd road game at the Houston Texans and an August 27th showdown at home with the Los Angeles Chargers.
One thing to note about the Texans game should it remain on schedule, Texas intends to allow sporting events with stadiums hosting fans at 50% capacity. Given Texas’ soaring coronavirus hospitalizations since gradual re-opening, even that remains far from certain.
So for those of you who loathe the preseason and wanted to see it shortened anyway, you may get your wish. We’ll keep monitoring this story closely.