The NFL team owners agreed to an emergency plan should the regular season continue to be massively affected due to the corona pandemic.
If the season has to be broken off or many games have to be canceled, 16 instead of the planned 14 NFL teams can take part in the playoffs according to this plan.
In spring the playoff field was expanded from 12 to 14 teams as part of the new CBA (collective agreement).
The NFL recently saw a surge in COVID-19 cases across the league and is reportedly considering extending the regular season by a week to combat the outbreak.
On Tuesday, team owners also approved a proposal to reward teams for promoting minority coaches and front office executives to become head coaches or general managers elsewhere. The proposal now has to be approved by the NFLPA.
The teams would be rewarded with a 3rd round pick in the following two drafts for their “loss” if a minority candidate is hired as head coach or general manager.
Earlier this year, the NFL improved the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least two outside minority candidates for head coaching jobs, one minority candidate for coordinator vacancies, and one for senior football operations or general manager positions.
The Rooney Rule was introduced in 2003 and originally stipulated that each team had to interview at least one minority candidate for a position as head coach or general manager before giving someone the job.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also confirmed that the Super Bowl should take place on February 7th next year, as planned, and reiterated that the mega-event should be fans at Raymond James Stadium.
Our plan is to have as many fans as possible at the Super Bowl ”
Most NFL teams are playing without spectators this season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: Sam Benson Smith / WEBN-TV
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