Packers: What Would Preseason Look Like Without Games?

The NFL may not have preseason games this year due to COVID-19. Here’s how the Green Bay Packers and other teams could prepare for the season.

The NFL has already cut the preseason schedule from four to two games due to the concern about COVID-19. Since the first and fourth games were canceled, that means the Green Bay Packers are scheduled to host the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 22 and play at the New York Giants on Aug. 29. However, more changes could be in store.

The NFL Player’s Association is recommending the league cancels all preseason games this year.

Players have long advocated for the preseason to be shortened; stating they don’t need that many games to prepare, and it’s more of an injury risk than anything else. Still, some exhibition games can be helpful, especially for rookies and younger players trying to make it into the league. It’s also helpful for new coaching staffs to help their team acclimate to new systems.

If there are no preseason games, however, what would the schedule look like?

ESPN already reported most teams will report to Training Camp on July 28th for a 23 day acclimation period. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network now has a potential plan in place if all the preseason games are scratched.

He reports one plan the union is discussing includes the following preparation days:

• 3 days: medical/equipment
• 21 days: strength and conditioning
• 10 days: unpadded practice
• 14 days: practice (10 max/8 padded)

That would complete the team’s preparations and they would head straight into Week 1 from there.

He also reported players would initially be split up into smaller groups so not everyone would be at the same stage. For example, 15 players would be doing strength and conditioning while 40 players are doing unpadded practice. That would help prolong bringing everyone together for a little while.

The Packers and other teams are still trying to figure out what the heck is going on with the season. While the NFL and the players association work to figure things out, we’ll just have to wait and see what plan they come up with.