NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informs teams the 2020 NFL draft will be fully virtual

Although it was what many fans expected, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams the 2020 NFL draft will be conducted in a fully virtual manner with team personnel working remotely from their homes.

The Steelers had initially indicated they were planning on having three or four team personnel members, including general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin, meeting at the team office to conduct business. According to the memo sent today, all facilities will remain closed and teams should prepare accordingly to have virtual gatherings to conduct business. Even if part of the staff wanted to meet at another location, this option appears to be off the table as the memo stated to conduct the draft “with Club personnel in separate locations and able to communicate with one another and Draft headquarters by phone or internet.”

The reason the 2020 NFL draft is being conducted in this manner is for both safety and fairness. With different guidelines in place in the various NFL cities, the league office needed to implement the same procedures regardless of a team’s location. As stated in the memo, “All Clubs will not have access to their facilities, which is contrary to the fundamental equity principle that all clubs operate in a consistent and fair way.”

Exactly how the 2020 NFL draft will play out for fans watching at home remains to be seen. Hopefully the NFL office can work with the various sports networks covering the draft in order to still give the best fan experience possible. As the date approaches, look for more information to become available as to how the 2020 NFL draft will be covered and presented to sports fans around the world.

Stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for updates on the 2020 NFL draft as well as breaking news, player updates, and all things Pittsburgh Steelers.