The coronavirus is now a pandemic and continues to spread. How is the NFL, which is still in the off-season, reacting to this ever-changing challenge?

The situation of the NFL is different. No less dangerous, this view would be fatal, even if the league is in the off-season.

Because the corona virus has taken over the sport worldwide. Matches take place in front of empty stands, are cancelled, postponed or the game is immediately suspended or suspended altogether.

Leagues drop out or break off
Now also in the USA. As in the NBA, NHL and XFL, which interrupt or end their seasons early.

But the situation is dynamic. In other words: It can change at any time. Texts about the state of affairs can be outdated within minutes.

Every hour, organizers and responsible persons follow suit, realizing that there is no second opinion on the subject due to the rapid spread of the topic. Covid-19 has officially been a pandemic since Thursday – in other words, a worldwide problem.

So how does a league react that officially (still) has a break, but of course never stands still? A league that is also about to wake up from hibernation?

The Free Agency is just around the corner. That means: Players can officially negotiate with other teams from Monday on, and will then be able to present themselves there. On Wednesday the new league year 2020 officially begins, which the NFL wants to hold on to despite the rapid expansion. And then the NFL will get going again.

Beat on beat
What is clear, however, is that for the time being not much is clear: the league itself, like many companies, is reacting to the development by instructing numerous employees to work from home.

The NFL has told all staff except for operationally critical staff to work from home until further notice beginning tomorrow — “out of an abundance of caution and with the health and safety of our communities as our foremost priority."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020

Some teams are discussing closing their facilities, some already implemented it on Friday, others are taking extreme caution as a first measure.

Many teams, such as the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers or Washington Redskins have already announced that employees will not travel, for example because of Pro Days of college talent.

However, this is not an instruction, but a decision that each team decides for itself.

In return, there are also universities that cancel their Pro Days. The agents are not idle either, instructing the young players to stay at home. Usually they show up with interested teams in the run-up to the draft.

“With twelve or more games played, an All-Star game and the Combine for most players, teams have enough information to make an informed decision,” Mike McCartney tweeted.

As an agent, it's my strong recommendation that my players don't travel for any team visits. With 12 or more games played, an All-Star game and Combine for most, teams have enough information to make an informed draft decision.

— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 12, 2020

It is noticeable that the coronavirus, also due to the strict entry bans for Europeans by President Donald Trump, has now arrived in the minds of the Americans with all its brutality.

And the situation is changing rapidly. So fast that sometimes it is almost impossible to keep up.

What are the consequences for the start of the league and the Free Agency? Unclear. So far, the league wants to hold on March 18th. What is clear is that the obligatory medical checks that have to be carried out, for example, are likely to become problematic. Everything that has to do with direct contact. Normally the teams knock you out when players come by to impress. How will that be arranged next week? Also unclear.

What happens with the draft?

Also up in the air: the draft in Las Vegas from 23 to 25 April, the first highlight of the new season.

How will it be handled? Cancel it? Postponement? Exposure to the public?

“The league office, the players’ union, the city and the state are working together,” Mark Davis, owner of the raiders who moved from Oakland to Las Vegas, told the Dallas Morning News: “They will make an appropriate decision. Health and safety will always be our top priority.” A conference call is being discussed as a light version, but live coverage will still be available.

One thing is certain: The annual meeting of the team owners planned for the end of March, at which, among other things, rule changes will be discussed and decided, has already been cancelled and the agenda has been moved to the next meeting in May.

What about until then? Nobody knows at the moment. What we do know: Starting in May, the NFL is starting to get a little busy with rookie minicamp, OTAs, minicamp and training camp. Preseason.

Maybe. Because nobody knows what’s gonna happen in four weeks right now. Let alone three months from now.