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Back in April, the NFL announced that the schedule release would be pushed back from its normal mid-April date to no later than May 9. This week, NFL vice president of communications reiterated that the schedule will indeed be released by that date. In his statement on Twitter, he said the season kickoff is slated to stay on September 10 with the Super Bowl unmoved from February 7, 2021.
However, a report from earlier in the week suggests the NFL is going to make sure they have some contingency plans in place to potentially accommodate for a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand and Ben Fischer laid out a handful of options the league is reportedly considering as backup plans. One example: A normal 17-week schedule, but the first two games of the season could be uprooted and placed at the end of the schedule, which, in turn, would require a potential delay of the Super bowl by a few weeks.
Per the report, some within the NFL are still debating whether the league should announce anything.
With the May 9 deadline just over a week away, we’ll likely know of the league’s intentions soon enough.
- Marvin Jones Jr. is the latest Lions player to reach out to local health care workers. The Lions wide receiver will be donating 1,000 meals and 250 bundt cakes to Henry Ford workers. MLive has more details.
- Here’s a quick few highlights of new Lions guard Jonah Jackson, both in pass coverage and run blocking assignments:
Former Buckeye Jonah Jackson (LG #73) was a good pick for Detroit. He fills a need and arguably should have come off the board sooner.
— Bryce Rossler (@btrossler) April 29, 2020
Good body control and vision in pass pro
Good lateral quickness to reach
Good timing, speed, and angles to second level in zone
Finisher pic.twitter.com/GTpUdYB4aO
- Justin Rogers of the Detroit News looks at the Lions’ key additions and subtractions at each position and lists some potential free agent signings.
- Matt Dery of the “Locked on Lions” podcast has an enlightening interview with a teammate of Quintez Cephus, giving a good background on the player and the person. (Interview starts around the 11-minute mark)
- Dave Birkett takes his best guess at the Lions’ depth chart after the draft.
- Some humor to end your day. Watch a Packers fan’s live reaction to the team taking Jordan Love: