NFL Combine Cancels Bubble Environment For Attending Players

The Combine announced Monday that they will no longer force players to take part in a bubble environment as part of this year’s event. 

“As promised in our message last week, we are following up to share with you an update on COVID-19 protocols for the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we continue to evolve our Combine policies and procedures in consultation with medical experts. While masks continue to be required for air travel and during medical exams at the Combine (players and medical personnel), wearing a mask at other times while on site is recommended, but not required. We encourage all players to remain within the secure Combine areas at all times for your safety. However, if you would like to leave the secure areas during free time in your schedule, you are now permitted to do so at your own risk.

“If you prefer to remain in the secure areas and have your approved medical support personnel (physical therapist, massage therapist, or approved athletic trainer) enter the secure area to provide medical treatments, please follow the previously communicated procedure and complete the form in Teamworks (if you have not already). Please let us know if you have any questions related to these COVID-19 protocol updates. We will continue to share important information with you via Teamworks as the Combine approaches. Let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to seeing you soon in Indianapolis.”

Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported yesterday that agents representing more than 150 draft prospects are organizing a boycott of all testing, on-field workouts and interviews at next month’s NFL scouting combine if heavy “bubble” restrictions aren’t changed.

Rapoport mentioned that unless the NFL and the combine agreed to ease those restrictions — allow players access to their full team of coaches, trainers, ATCs et al. as in past years — many of this year’s top prospects would only do medical evaluations.

On Saturday, the combine informed prospects that they are permitted to invite one “medical support person” that must be fully vaccinated. The combine was set to provide all meals and snacks and prospects would stay in a “bubble” environment with limited exceptions. 

Any players who violate the new policies would be disqualified from further participation and sent home.

The Combine also announced that they have revamped their workout schedule, which will begin on Tuesday, March 1 and include player measurements, bench press and on-field workouts during the same day.

Previously, the combine held measurements, bench press and on-field workouts were performed on separate days.

The NFLPA issued the following statement supporting the prospects even though they don’t represent them: 

“We have spoken to several agents to reinforce our long standing opposition to the NFL Scouting Combine and agree and support the decisions by those to not attend. The combination of the NFL’s proposed “bubble” and fact that we still have an antiquated system of every team doctor examining players and having them perform yet again needs serious modification or elimination. While we do not represent these players we have advocated for their rights to fair treatment.

“Our union has always encouraged players to take control of their careers from the very beginning and we appreciate that agents are looking at ways to support that goal.“