Despite uncertainty amidst the coronavirus pandemic and related labor discussions, the NFL is fully planning to start training camp on time.
NFL clubs just received this email with reporting dates.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 18, 2020
Training camp is on. pic.twitter.com/lya1JtxW4o
Assuming this schedule holds true, Philadelphia Eagles rookies will report this Tuesday, July 21. Eagles quarterbacks and players recovering from injury (such as Alshon Jeffery) will report on Thursday, July 23. The rest of the 90-man roster will then be required to show up on Tuesday, July 28.
A number of NFL players — including Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson — have expressed concern with the league starting camp on time due to unanswered questions about financial impact, procedures, and safety. The league is mandating an August 1 deadline for players to opt out of the 2020 season due to pandemic concerns. To be determined if any Eagles players will go that route.
On one hand, it’s exciting to hear that football is close to being back. On the other hand, it still remains to be seen just how realistically viable this all is. What happens if/when camps start and there are COVID-19 outbreaks among players and/or staff? It’s hard to feel 100% confident that everything is going to move forward without a hitch.
We’ll see how it goes. For now, the Eagles are still set to fully begin training camp in 10 days from now.