NFL Notes: 2020 Season, Testing/Travel, 2021 Salary Cap

Here’s a collection of notes regarding the 2020 season, testing and travel protocols as well as potential impacts on the 2021 salary cap.

2020 Season

• Other 2020 NFL team travel guidelines include the use of masks, which will be required while traveling. Buses at no more than 50 percent capacity, and at least one open seat between passengers on the plane. (Dan Graziano)
• The players still want all preseason games eliminated and the league continues to resist. A possible compromise involves going down to just one preseason game per team, but the NFLPA doesn’t want any citing infection risk. (Dan Graziano)
• Negotiations are ongoing and are expected to continue through the weekend. Both sides believe if the health/safety talks are resolved, they can start training camps and continue to discuss financial aspects. (Dan Graziano)
• The NFLPA is of the mindset that any team that opens camp without an Infectious Disease Emergency Response plan would be doing so illegally. (Dan Graziano)
• The NFLPA told the players they will likely file a grievance if they are reporting and the league and union don’t have an agreement but for the time being, they should report as they’re contractually obligated to. (Albert Breer)
• The NFLPA told players the August 1st deadline for voluntary opt-out is false. (Tony Pauline)
• The NFL’s latest plan to NFLPA includes a rule that unlimited players can return from NFI and IR after missing three games, infected players go on a special exempt list, the practice squad goes up to 16 players, and a $250,000 stipend for each player should the season get canceled early, which will be offset by money they have already earned. (Ben Volin)

Testing/Travel

• Dan Graziano mentions that players who test positive will undergo additional cardiac screening and following mild symptomatic infection players will complete a three-day exercise protocol. Following a moderate to severe infection, players will an exercise protocol for at least seven days or equal to twice the duration of the hospitalization.
• Some of the NFL’s travel rules for this year will include no use of public or private transportation to or in other cities, no leaving the hotel to go to restaurants that are open to the public, no room visits by anyone outside the traveling party, and no use of shared hotel facilities such as a pool or gym. (Dan Graziano)
• Players still want daily testing, but the league doesn’t believe it’s necessary. (Dan Graziano)
• More NFL travel guidelines include no use of public or private transportation on the road to or in other cities, no permission to leave the hotel to eat or otherwise use restaurants that are open to the public. Room service or contactless delivery will be permitted as food options. (Aaron Wilson)
• Team travel is restricted to Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals only. Masks must be worn while traveling and social distancing protocols are to be followed whenever possible. (Aaron Wilson)
• There will be no room visits by anyone other than members of the traveling party, no use of shared hotel facilities unless it is limited to use by the traveling party and has been disinfected. (Aaron Wilson)

2021 Salary Cap

• The salary cap could drop by up to $70 million in 2021 and the NFLPA is concerned about the effect it would have on player salaries and benefits. (Dan Graziano)