Proposal by NFL Players Association to potentially eliminate spring football in NFL raises concerns and challenges.

The NFL Players Association is proposing a major change to the league’s offseason schedule that could eliminate Spring Football as we know it. The proposal, if adopted by the league, would see veteran players begin their preparations for the season in June instead of participating in on-field work in the spring.

This change would mean a training camp schedule that starts in late June or early July, leading up to regular-season games in September. Currently, training camps begin around the last days of July. The proposal would still allow for virtual classroom work in the spring, but no on-field practices until training camp.

While the proposal aims to give players a longer offseason break, it raises concerns about how it would impact rookies and teams with new coaches. Rookies typically start learning the ropes in May and continue through veteran minicamps in early June. Moving OTAs to mid-June could put rookies at a disadvantage, affecting their ability to learn playbooks and adjust to the NFL.

Teams with new coaches or coordinators could also face challenges implementing new systems with a delayed start to on-field work. The proposal could leave some players and teams playing catch-up in June, potentially impacting their performance in the upcoming season.

The NFLPA’s proposal is sparking discussions about the potential consequences and unintended effects of changing the offseason schedule. As the league considers this proposal, the future of Spring Football in the NFL hangs in the balance.