In Thursday’s NFL news: The Scouting Combine could change headquarters in 2023, the NFL and NFLPA reach deals on Offseason 2022, former Oilers cornerback passes away, and more. Don’t miss the NFL news.
Scouting Combine could change headquarters in 2023
Indianapolis has been the home of the Scouting Combine since 1987, and after its cancellation last year due to COVID, it will once again be the host city in 2022, albeit perhaps for the last time. This Tuesday, through a memorandum, the NFL informed the 32 teams that the Scouting Combine will be open to a bidding process to host the event starting in 2023.
With this, the NFL seeks that the Combine can reach millions more fans nationally and internationally: “The League, along with the Combine Executive Committee, is considering ways to grow the Combine as a large-scale event, while that at the same time improves the experience and the association of the prospects, ”the memo reads. The memo also included instructions on how to apply to host the upcoming Super Bowls and the NFL Draft, which will also continue to move its venues after being a fixture in New York for many years.
An upcoming key date on these matters will be July 23, the day on which applications to host the Scouting Combine 2023, Super Bowl 60 or 61, and the 2025 NFL Draft will open. date, Dallas is listed as one of the cities that wants to host the Combine.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones probably built the Cowboys facility with the Scouting Combine in mind. The Star has a sports medicine center and hotel on the property, along with two outdoor practice ranges and two covered fields, including one that seats 12,500. So it’s no surprise the Cowboys plan to run to host the Combine, reported Calvin Watkins from the Dallas Morning News.
In which city would you like to see the Scouting Combine starting in 2023?
NFL Scouting Combine open to bidding process among all 32 teams beginning with 2023 event (via @RapSheet)https://t.co/ynNTTE6MrY
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 23, 2021
NFL and NFLPA reach agreements on Offseason 2022
The gap between the end of one season and the beginning of the next is getting smaller and smaller. This year, the close of the 2021 campaign, and the start of the 2022 campaign, will be separated by just nine days.
Via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, The NFL and NFLPA agreed that the first major event of the 2022 offseason – the opening of the two weeks for the application of franchise Y transition tags– is February 22, which is only nine days after Super Bowl LVI to be played in Los Angeles. This window to apply franchise and transition labels will close on March 8 and the new league year will begin on Wednesday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. hours from Central Mexico.
Among other notable dates, the offseason training for teams with new head coaches will begin on Monday, April 4, while the other teams will begin on April 18. For its part, the 2022 NFL Draft will take place from Thursday April 28 to Saturday 30.
There is still a whole season to go to reach these dates, but both teams and fans, we can start to circulate the most important dates that we cannot miss of the 2022 offseason.
The NFLPA sent this notice to agents with 2022 calendar dates, including the start of the free-agent signing period March 16. pic.twitter.com/3RIhn6Wqnf
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 23, 2021
The deadline to do opt-out this 2021 will be July 2
Due to COVID-19, last year, the NFL had 67 players who chose not to participate in the 2020 season, however, with vaccines already available, it is expected that few players will choose not to participate in 2021. Even so , the NFL is giving them the right to do it again. Players will have until Friday, July 2 at 3:00 p.m. hours of the Mexico Center to inform their team if they choose not to participate this season, informed Tom Pelissero, of NFL Network.
It should be noted that those players who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 again will be entitled to a pay of $ 350,000 if they do opt-outPelissero added, however, those who voluntarily choose not to gamble will receive absolutely nothing (last year, every opt-out received a salary of $ 150,000).
Additionally, only players whose contracts came into effect before October 1, 2020 are eligible to opt out voluntarily, so 2021 rookies will not be able to take this option.
Will we see any opt-out is it 2021?
July 2. https://t.co/n9ndZcV8o2
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 23, 2021
Roger Goodell talks about possible Bears stadium change
Last Thursday, The Bears made an offer to buy a property belonging to the Arlington Heights suburban racetrack, Later, local officials approved the use of Arlington Park for a football stadium, in addition, Chicago also reached a sponsorship agreement with the current owners of the track and now, the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, has an opinion on the possible move of the Bears during an appearance on 670 The Score this Wednesday:
“This is a really early stage in potentially developing an alternative,” Goodell said, “but I think there is a lot to do here. I know your commitment to the Chicago area is 110 percent and that’s the most important thing to me. They have a long term lease at Soldier Field. It’s a great site. But we all look long term and try to find alternatives, and that’s what the Bears are doing. But I think, for the fans right now, I wouldn’t focus on that (…). Right now, let’s enjoy the 2021 season. There will be a lot of excitement for the Bears. “
The following days will be vital for the Chicago organization because, if the offer to buy the track is accepted and the deal is finalized, the focus of a possible move will increase regardless of the duration of the current lease.
Would you like Chicago to move out of Soldier Field?
Roger Goodell: Bears looking to the long term with Soldier Field alternative. https://t.co/xkjbojTRsf
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 24, 2021
Houston Oilers cornerback Patrick Allen dies
In more NFL news, football is in mourning. Patrick Allen, a former Houston Oilers cornerback, died Tuesday in his Seattle apartment at age 59, reported John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. After finding his lifeless body at his residence, his family is still waiting for the final forensic report to determine the causes of death.
Allen, a Utah State graduate, was selected by the Oilers in the 1984 NFL Draft and played his seven seasons as a professional for the team. In total, he appeared in 106 games (72 as a starter), made 7 interceptions, and had 7 forced fumbles. In his tenure with Houston, Allen was, along with Steve Brown, one of the league’s best cornerback duos during their time.
The Oilers reached the postseason in four (1987-90) of the seven seasons Allen was in, who played for head coaches Hugh Campbell, Jerry Glanville and Jack Pardee.
Former Oilers cornerback Patrick Allen dies at 59. https://t.co/V7MvClSORu
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 23, 2021
This is today’s NFL news.
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