The Packers do not have a traditional owner. CEO Mark Murphy is closest to them. And with few homeowners speaking publicly about the challenges the NFL faces in a pandemic, everything they say (even one who isn’t really a homeowner but close enough) is important.
Here’s what Murphy said about the current situation in a monthly online column published on Saturday: “Training camps to start in less than a month and COVID-19 showing no signs of slowing, Packers will have to take several difficult decisions in the coming weeks. Since the pandemic arrived earlier this year, NFL teams have had time. Unlike professional basketball, hockey and baseball teams that were in the middle of their season or about to start, we were at the start of our offseason. The NFL teams were able to virtually manage free will, the draft and all of their off-season programs. We made some decisions along the way, but the main ones we were able to postpone until we had more information. With so much uncertainty, it made sense that we didn’t make decisions until we were absolutely forced to. As we approach the start of training camp (beginners will start training on July 21 and veterans on July 28), time is no longer on our side. “
He is right about it. Time is not on the side of the NFL. Agreements must be made with the union and decisions must be made regarding the outline of the training camp, the pre-season (if there is one) and the regular season.
With July 4 now in the rear view mirror, the process should speed up considerably this week. It is necessary, or it will be impossible for beginners to start training on July 21, or for the rest of the team to be ready to leave on July 28.
