NFL Finally Suspends All COVID-19 Safety Protocols

It’s finally over.

After two years of hearing about “team outbreaks,” safety protocol and mandate changes, and narratives about how unvaccinated players were existential threats to their teams and society, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to suspend all COVID-19 safety measures effective immediately.

Despite the fact that no teams are currently hosting any activities, the memo’s changes do mean that all COVID safety measures at the NFL combine will no longer be enforced. It was an issue of contention for agents representing nearly half the invitees. Reporters will probably have locker access once again when the season starts. 

NFL Now: All COVID protocols were suspended by the NFL and NFLPA… hopefully for good. pic.twitter.com/538KX2TIDE

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2022

However, the win might not last. The restrictive mandates could return if the NFL experiences more COVID-related problems after the season starts. Organizations are still advised to follow state and local protocols despite the league’s mandates being lifted.

“Should it be necessary to reimpose some of the protocols, or to take additional measures,” the memo says, “we’ll work closely with clubs and the NFLPA as well as our respective specialists and local state and federal officials in public health to preserve the NFL community’s health.”

We have heard it now, hopefully. But then again, they do have a knack of being consistently inconsistent in how they handle … pretty much any major issue they face.