The Facts: The NFL and its players' union has agreed on a blueprint for how they will conduct the offseason amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL and NFLPA have reached an agreement on a voluntary offseason program set to start April 20, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the agreement. The virtual period of the program can begin next week, but no on-field work is allowed until all 32 club facilities can reopen.
Diehards Line:
Club facilities will only open in accordance with NFL protocols and federal, state and local rules and regulation. Only if all 32 facilities can open will any of them open; otherwise, all will remain closed during the period. The virtual period will consist of three consecutive weeks of classroom instruction, workouts and non-football educational programs using videoconferencing technology. An extra voluntary veteran camp will be available for new coaches, with the virtual period ending no later than May 15, per Pelissero. Teams are permitted to send players workout equipment and monitoring devices -- e.g. kettlebells, resistance bands, Apple watches, etc. -- provided the cost for any individual player doesn't exceed $1,500. The plan, which was under discussion between the NFLPA and NFL management council for weeks, was approved Monday via vote.