The NFL plans to allow for relaxed COVID-19 requirements for teams that reach an 85% percent vaccination threshold, and the New Orleans Saints appear well on their way to that mark.
Coach Sean Payton told the media Tuesday that the Saints had reached 100% for vaccinations within the building, which included Tier 1 & 2 personnel, staff and coaches as of minicamp. He didn't specify vaccination rates among players themselves.
"We’re really encouraged with out numbers relative to the team," Payton said.
The vaccination compliance news is welcome for a team that was handed among the stiffest penalties in the NFL for multiple violations of league guidelines a year ago. Penalties were levied for infractions including improper mask usage on the sidelines by Payton himself early in the season, and issues stemming from post-win locker room celebrations.
Payton was fined $100,000 and the team $250,000 for the mask infraction in Week 2, and the team was fined an additional $500,000 and docked a 2022 draft pick for the second infraction.
Multiple Saints players missed weeks due to either positive tests or contact tracing, the most significant impact coming in Week 17 against the Panthers. The Saints entered that game without their entire running back room, with running back duties taken over by veteran Ty Montgomery and rookie Tony Jones.
One concession to teams that reach the NFL's vaccination threshold is relaxed mask mandates at the facility and practice field, as well as the elimination of daily testing requirements.
"It hasn’t been one big team meeting, or any one specific thing," Payton said. "But it’s been more education, one-one-one time, and I think the guys in the training room … have really done a great job."
