Despite players expressing concerns amid COVID-19 with more questions looming than answers, the NFL is moving forward with training camp. Over the past few weeks, players have eluded to uncertainty about protocols the league will have in place to keep them safe on the job.
Richard Sherman, JJ Watt, and Patrick Mahomes were among the latest players to speak out about their reservations based on conversations between the league and NFLPA.
On Friday, the NFLPA made the following statement on social media about return-to-work protocols.
NFLPA President JC Tretter shared similar sentiment:
“I don’t think player safety and making sure guys come back healthy and don’t get hurt in training camp should just be a union issue that we care about. Teams [should care, too] for the exact same reason.”
Nonetheless, NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent sent a memo to all 32 General Managers and head coaches on Saturday morning confirming that training camp will move forward as scheduled. Rookies will report on July 21st, quarterbacks and injured players are to report on July 23rd, and all other players will report on July 28th.