NFL Free Agency will start as scheduled amid coronavirus concerns

As of midday Thursday, March 12, the NFL has no plans to change or delay their league schedule due to the coronavirus.

Despite concerns throughout professional and college sports leagues in the United States and around the world over the novel coronavirus, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that NFL has “no plans to move the start of the league year,” which will begin as scheduled on March 18 at 4 p.m. ET.

That means that NFL Free Agency will begin as normal as well. With some teams restricting travel and changing their pre-draft plans, Free Agency will likely look different though.

According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the NFL has told nearly all team staff to work from home “out of an abundance of caution and with the health and safety of our communities as our foremost priority.”

It is likely that teams who decide to meet with players will do so with much fewer staff present and with more precautions in place for the safety of all involved.

It is also possible that contract signings will take place remotely as opposed to happening at team facilities as they usually would.

Even with the league year still beginning as scheduled on March 18, fans should expect free agency to go a bit differently this year to ensure the safety and health of everyone during this pandemic.

As of right now, no NFL player or staff has been confirmed positive with coronavirus. But with people able to be contagious even when they don’t feel sick, every precaution should be taken.

Most major league sports in America are doing their best to get ahead of the virus and it seems like the NFL is doing so as well.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.