The NFL will cut the preseason in half for the 2020 season, according to a report from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.
The league will eliminate the first and fourth preseason games and keep the second and third games, per Florio. For the
Washington Redskins, that means they will likely not play at home at FedEx Field before the regular season unless there is a complete overhaul to the preseason schedule.
As it stands the Redskins' home games against the Titans (Aug. 15) and Ravens (Sept. 3) will be scrapped. In weeks two and three of the preseason, the Redskins are scheduled to play the Colts (Aug. 24) in Indianapolis and Jaguars (Aug. 29) in Jacksonville.
However, a report from The Washington Post indicates there will be adjustments made to the preseason schedule to ensure no team, including the Redskins, will have to travel for the two remaining preseason games.
Each NFL team is expected to play one preseason game at home and one on the road, both in late August. The first and fourth weeks of the current preseason schedule could be dropped, as @ProFootballTalk reported. But if Weeks 2 and 3 are kept, there could be some tweaking.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske)
July 1, 2020 The NFLPA has reportedly not signed off on any move to eliminate two of the preseason games, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Some in the players union's leadership question if any preseason games are smart. The NFLPA's leadership in the past has said they would like to see the preseason games be eliminated entirely.
While the expectation for weeks has been the NFL goes to two preseason games, the NFLPA hasn’t signed off. and some in union leadership continue to question whether it’s smart to play ANY preseason games, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Board of reps call Thursday. Stay tuned.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo)
July 1, 2020 Florio reports that because he offseason on-field practice sessions have been curtailed due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, coaches "would rather have the extra time to work with their teams" in a practice setting without having to prepare, travel, and take time off around preseason games.
The loss of two games could have a significant impact on undrafted players and players on the bubble of making the roster, especially with offseason minicamps being virtual.
Seeing people happy that the preseason is cut in half. Not a good thing. Those crucial job audition opportunities for bubble players just got slashed. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen guys lock up jobs with Week4 preseason performances.
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones)
July 1, 2020 but Sims opened a few eyes in the spring. Showed flashes in practice and through the four preseason games. And it was still a close call. A smart one on the Skins part as he has excellent potential.
— John Keim (@john_keim)
July 1, 2020 It has been reported the NFL is still planning to open training camp on time, with teams reportedly being asked to report to their home facilities on July 28.
Week One and Week Four will be the preseason weeks that are scrapped, per source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk)
July 1, 2020 Follow @BenKrimmel and @1067theFan on Twitter.
