:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66894925/usa_today_13772462.0.jpg)
The progression towards starting the NFL season continues with the latest statement from the NFL:
Memo sent by NFL to teams this morning says, in part: "This will advise that, beginning tomorrow, June 5, coaching staffs may be among the employees returning to your facility."
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) June 4, 2020
Teams have been allowed to have employees in their facilities, but were not allowed to have coaches among them. This will change tomorrow, June 5th, when coaches will be allowed to return to work in the facilities.
This is a big step in the process to getting players in and training camp started. If you are wondering about the logistics of the process, here is a relevant section from the memo:
Members of the coaching staff will count toward the maximum number of permissible club employees in the facility. Beginning tomorrow, clubs may increase the number of employees in the facility to a total of 100 subject again to state and local regulations and implementation of the protocols developed under the leadership of Dr. Sills.
This move is part of Phase 2 of the NFL plan to re-open, if things go well with this stage Phase 3 will see the players return and the beginning of training camp, to be held at the team facility as earlier reported.
Mike Tomlin will now be able to get his coaches together in person, welcoming quarterbacks coach Matt Canada and wide receiver coach Ike Hilliard to their first Steelers training camp in their current roles. As Steelers fans look forward to the return of Ben Roethlisberger to the Pittsburgh offense, it’s nice to think the coaches will finally be together in person, drawing up the blueprint for what we hope will be a Super Bowl season.
Stay tuned to Behind the Steel Curtain for all breaking news as the NFL season comes closer to starting.