NFL to Shorten 2020 Preseason

For the upcoming 2020 season, the league is considering shortening the preseason — the league along with players’ associations are discussing the proposal. The NLF is looking forward to reducing the preseason from four games to two games, with collective negotiation. Leagues’ executives have also been informed that they may not be playing four preseason games.

Extended, “ramp-up” period for Players.

The reduced preseason games would give more time for players to ramp up & get ready for the league. With reduced preseason, even if the players would be returning to the training camps a little later, this would mean an extended ramp-up period. The league would get an additional two weeks for getting in place, the safety protocols, and coronavirus testing schedules.

Per the reports, almost 20,000 tickets have been sold for the game which is slated to happen on August 6. If the preseason gets shortened, it's for sure that the game and the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony could be pushed back. In 2021, the NFL will be shortening the season with a 17th game added to the regular season. If both NFL and the players’ associations come to a mutual agreement, on shortening the season, then the teams will get an initial look through the shortened preseason format. New training protocols with regard to the return-to-the-play game have already been floated by the league, and there are new training camps for mid-July restart. However, the league is all set to start the season on time, yet there are speculations going around if fans would be attending the game on the second weekend of September or not.

Good News for the Fans.

Multiple teams have been discussing the shortening of the season, yet there isn’t any final decision on the same. Playing two season games rather than four, if it happens would come up with a different NFL season. This discussion between the NFL & the players’ association is, in fact, good news for the fans — as the players will not have to endure the same type of beating that is common in a four-game preseason. This would obviously require players to be way healthier and be more attentive to their game. The longer ramp-up period by shortening the preseason irrespective of whether the players are reporting a week or two earlier would surely mean there could be better preparations and better protocols for coronavirus testing, and health measures happening. However, as of now, there is nothing sure, the discussions are going on. If the decision on shortening the season comes out to be positive, it would be in the best interest of the league, players as well as fans.