NFL logo on goalpost (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
After their Thursday Night win, the Bears are facing another hurdle internally
Despite some positive developments out of Tennessee and New England, the NFL can’t completely rid itself of COVID-19 controversy. The Titans and Patriots have been forced to move regular season games in recent weeks due to coronavirus outbreaks within their facilities. The Titans, for one, reportedly ignored NFL protocol on multiple occasions. This is just the beginning of the NFL’s problem.
Per Adam Schefter, “There are no new positives in Tennessee nor New England, but there are now two other positive tests: one for a practice squad player in Chicago, but Bears have been closed since Thursday night, and a strength and conditioning coach in Kansas City, per source. Tracing is ongoing.”
The NFL knew the 2020 season would come with significant issues
Tracing is the key here, as it’ll tell health experts exactly how serious the outbreak is in both facilities. Chicago is lucky that they don’t play this weekend, as they won’t have to delay or postpone any Week 5 game, and can hope all of this solves itself by Week 6. Chicago defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just days ago.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Assuming there are no more positives on the team, that game can take place as planned.
While the Bears closing their facility may sound extreme, it’s the right decision regardless of severity. Chicago does not want any of their players put in harm’s way, and reporting to the practice facility will only increase the odds of someone else contracting the virus. Even if the test is a false positive, precaution is applauded in this sense.