These five NFL teams won’t suffer in 2020 due to the canceled preseason.
While many football players and fans alike have complained about the NFL preseason in the past, it became a sign that football was coming back into the fold. Even though the games were mostly meaningless, with the bottomfeeders of NFL rosters fighting for some semblance of relevance, it was nice to actually see our favorite teams back on the field in some capacity.
Well, now our wait for football will be prolonged a bit more, as the NFL has canceled the preseason due to safety concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that, along with a canceled preseason, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed on several other conditions for the 2020 season.
Updates from NFLPA call with players tonight:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 21, 2020
- No preseason games in 2020
- Union still pushing for longer ramp-up period in camp
- Roster sizes expected to be 80 to start camp
- General agreement on voluntary and high-risk opt-out
- General agreement on stipend if games lost
While these terms are not ideal for anyone, the NFL and NFLPA are trying to create a safe work environment so we can all experience a semblance of normalcy with an NFL season in the fall. Still, a shortened camp and lack of “live-action” practice will have negative ramifications on many teams around the NFL.
Those teams who are prepared to start multiple rookie players or have made wholesale changes to their coaching staff and personnel could experience growing pains without the benefit of developing chemistry during the preseason.
While rebuilding and reloading teams are bound to struggle in the early stages of the season, there are multiple teams who will be just fine without having a preseason. These veteran squads may even enjoy not having to worry about the injury risk of playing “meaningless football” in August.
Let’s take a look at the five teams who should have no qualms about taking their first snap against an opponent on opening day.