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With training camp scheduled to begin later this month, dialogue between the NFL and the NFLPA has become more frequent, as the two sides attempt to figure out a plan to return to team facilities.
On July 1, it was reported that an announcement was to come on the shortening of preseason, from four games to two games. That announcement has yet to come, with a large portion of players in favor of playing no preseason games at all.
The gap between the league and the players association continues to be on public display, with many players scoffing at post-game jersey swaps being outlawed for the 2020 season on Thursday.
That public posturing continued on Friday, when NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted “almost everything is done and agreed to,” before adding several important items that are not yet agreed to.
Update on where things stand 18 days out:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 10, 2020
— Almost everything is done and agreed to except for number of preseason games and testing protocols.
— No fans will be at training camp, but teams can have up to two fan events at stadiums this preseason with strict protocols if allowed
Other notes:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 10, 2020
— Where fans are allowed at games, they will wear face coverings.
— Actual training camp schedule of practices can be tied to the preseason game questions, so not there yet.
— The economics are not yet finalized, either. https://t.co/Q1CZqusMRG
Richard Sherman, an outspoken and important NFLPA rep, disagreed with the notion of agreements between the league and its players.
That’s knowledge to us. Huge outstanding issues are still unresolved. We havent agreed to anything in their proposal and literally just sent them a response. But all will be revealed https://t.co/HcVWtA8OgX
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 10, 2020
Obviously, there are a number of factors that must be addressed and agreed to before teams can open training camp. Pete Carroll, speaking on 710 ESPN Seattle on Friday, expressed his willingness to have training camp postponed in order to make sure everything is done correctly.
Pete Carroll says on @710ESPNSeattle he would be in favor of the NFL postponing training camps to make sure it's being done right. "If we have to slow it down a little bit, that would be okay,'' Carroll said.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) July 10, 2020
"I can see us just waiting a little bit,'' Carroll says of the scheduled start of training camp, which is set for July 28. "We'll see what happens.''
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) July 10, 2020
Flexibility and patience will be key from all parties in the lead up to training camp, as the NFL and its players attempt to navigate a season unlike any other. If Pete Carroll’s comments on Friday are any indication, the Seahawks will display exactly that before Seattle begins training camp.