The NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement Friday night that has training camps around the start of the NFL. However, there will be many changes to what fans have become accustomed to in the preseason period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deal included the cancellation of all preseason games this year. The Steelers were slated to open the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game, and while that game was previously canceled, it is now official that there will be no preseason games played in the entire league.
The roster’s size will change during preseason this year. The Steelers, like all other NFL teams, can go to camp at Heinz Field with 80 or 90 players. That has not yet been determined by the Steelers.
The following is a list of some other key dates and information for all NFL teams that were included in the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.
Reporting dates / General: July 28-August. two
All veterans can report to camp beginning July 28, but they must test negative for COVID-19 three times during this window. Virtual meetings will take place during this time. The last two days of this period will include physical and equipment tests.
Acclimatization period: August 3 to 11
During this time, teams will follow the same guidelines as Phase 1 of the off-season program, with strictly force and conditioning field activity and trial periods. Conditioning tests are not allowed. Only team strength and conditioning coaches will be on the field, and helmets are not allowed.
Gradual acceleration period: from August 12 to 16.
This period will include four days of acceleration and one day off. The first two days will be similar to Phase 2 of the low season program. Coaches are allowed on the field and players may wear helmets and participate in individual instruction and drills. Over the past two days, the team can conduct full-speed contactless practice, including 7v7, 9v7 and 11v11 drills, but no live contact.
Contact integration period: from August 17 to September 7. 6 6
Teams are allowed to conduct their first practice on pads on August 17 with a 90 minute time limit. The practice can last 15 minutes in the following days, the maximum time being two and a half hours. Steelers can maintain a maximum of 14 pad practices during this 21-day period. There are also mandatory days off every seven days.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to NFL fans on Monday, noting that while camp is ready to start, flexibility is key.
“Training camps are starting across the country this week and before we know it, the NFL season will be here,” Goodell wrote in the letter. “This is always the most optimistic time of year for our fans and for all 32 teams. In a year that has been extraordinarily difficult for our country and the world, we hope that the energy of this moment will provide much-needed optimism.” ”
The full letter can be found here.
