(670 The Score) Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL Draft will proceed as scheduled on April 23-25, ESPN reported Thursday evening.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams in a memo Thursday night that the draft will be held remotely after the on-site festivities in Las Vegas were canceled. Goodell told teams to prepare for a draft off-site from their facilities.
"Everyone recognizes that the public health conditions are highly uncertain and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favorable than they are today," Goodell wrote.
Goodell also warned against criticizing the NFL's stance, writing, "Public discussion of issues relating to the draft serves no useful purpose and is grounds for disciplinary action."
The NFL's memo comes after the league's general manager subcommittee asked for the draft to be pushed back, ESPN reported.
The Bears have closed Halas Hall indefinitely. Illinois has mandated a stay-at-home order through April 7, an order that may be extended longer, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
