Latest On NFL Offseason Program

A report surfaced earlier Tuesday indicating head coaches could return to facilities as early as next week and that June minicamps were still on the table. Although that report did not mention any definitive plan was in the works, some notable pushback has since transpired.

Newly elected NFLPA president J.C. Tretter tweeted that the union has not agreed to any reopening plan. The NFL and NFLPA would need to hammer out an agreement, like they did when the virtual offseason concept emerged. As of now, no return date is in place for coaches and non-injured players. NFL VP of communications Brian McCarthy confirmed no return date exists but that conversations with the NFLPA are ongoing (Twitter link).

The Browns center also referenced the virtual offseason’s June 26 “hard stop” date for offseason activities, potentially indicating the union would not be in favor of in-person minicamps occurring between then and training camp (Twitter link). Training camps begin in late July annually. COVID-19 has not yet affected this start window.

Before the virtual offseason became a full-on reality, some within the league hoped for a midsummer pre-training camp run-up period. This came up in the union’s discussions with the league, but the virtual offseason plan not including it makes it harder to envision players returning before training camp.

For weeks, late July has been viewed as the earliest likely window players will resurface at team facilities. Three GMs confirmed to ESPN.com’s Ed Werder (via Twitter) they have not been given any information about a potential earlier return, and one of those does not expect any in-person activities until training camp.

Currently, the NFL’s offseason policy stipulates no coaches or players can return to team facilities until all 50 states’ various stay-at-home measures cease. But certain other personnel have already returned, in accordance with social-distancing guidelines. Decisions will need to be made soon regarding minicamps. Even if those remain virtual sessions, with New York and New Jersey green-lighting training camps to take place, an end to this virtual period appears in sight.