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As the world of professional sports is making major changes across the board and dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the NFL may be changing policies as to how teams will be handling their off-season activities in the near future. As these reports surface, we here at Behind The Steel Curtain will continue to update the story as more information is made available.
So far, it has been reported the NFL will NOT change the start of a new league year. Additionally, teams will be canceling their player visits as the league is considering shutting down all facilities.
This news tracker will be for general NFL news which impacts the league in some way, shape or form. All news specific to the Pittsburgh Steelers will be handled in a stand alone article.
Be sure to check back to BTSC for the latest news on the black-and-gold, and this article for the latest developments on how the NFL is handling the offseason with COVID-19 becoming more prevalent.
UPDATE: Suspension of the NHL season with MLB reportedly soon to follow. Some NFL teams are adjusting their operations.
UPDATE: The NFL has cancelled their spring meeting.
UPDATE: The NFL has postponed a media event at the Hall of Fame. NCAA men’s basketball teams withdraw from the tournament.
UPDATE: NFL teams in the process of setting up video conference calls with draft prospects.
UPDATE: The XFL has suspended their season.
The NFL has told all staff except for operationally critical staff to work from home until further notice beginning tomorrow — “out of an abundance of caution and with the health and safety of our communities as our foremost priority."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
Going to see a lot of this. https://t.co/u9leTQJFG2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
NFL holding conference call with teams later today about next steps https://t.co/ty0kniVgmG
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 12, 2020
NFL said it has "no plans to move the start of the league year."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2020
NFL cancels top-30 visits for draft prospects at team facilities.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 12, 2020
Currently, free agent signing period still set to begin March 18. Deadline for voting by players on new CBA is Saturday at 11:59 p.m. ET
This remains the current NFL schedule for now:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 12, 2020
: Saturday, 11:59 PM EST: Deadline for players to vote on proposed CBA
: Monday, 11:59 AM EST: Deadline to apply a franchise or transition tag
: Monday, Noon EST: Legal tampering window opens
: Wednesday, 4 PM EST: FA begins
After a conference call among owners this afternoon, Major League Baseball is expected to suspend spring training. The league likely will delay the beginning of the regular season as well. At this point, it's a formality that ownership-level sources expect to happen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 12, 2020
Vikings suspending travel for coaches and scouts until further notice and reviewing restrictions on large public gatherings. Team: “Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and fans and do our part to minimize the spread of this virus.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2020
It’s official https://t.co/iY1d4urxGi
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 12, 2020
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 12, 2020
The NFL's spring meeting has been canceled.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2020
The NFL has postponed a scheduled media availability set for Monday in Canton, Ohio, for Hall of Fame inductees Troy Polamalu and Steve Atwater.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) March 12, 2020
Duke just took itself out of the NCAA tournament.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2020
Top-ranked Kansas has also withdrawn from the NCAA tournament.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2020
Good night, tournament.
NFL teams in process of setting up video conferences and telephone calls with draft prospects, according to sources, with multiple teams canceling predraft visits to team facilities as well as private workouts due to concerns about coronavirus
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 12, 2020
From XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck to me and @TomPelissero: "Currently, the XFL will not be playing its regular season games. All players will be paid their base pay & benefits for '20 regular season. All XFL ticket holders will be issued refunds or credit towards future games."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020