Reports: NFL league year will start on time

ET, multiple outlets reported Sunday evening.

The league reportedly sent a memo to all 32 teams confirming the schedule will
not be changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The news comes following reports earlier Sunday that there was a change of
heart among people around the NFL, many of whom initially expected the league
year to be delayed. The league and the NFL Players Association reportedly had
talks earlier Sunday about the possibility, but no delay was made.

With the approval of the new collective bargaining agreement on Saturday
night, players would have had to sign off on any changes to the scheduled
start of the league year. Delaying the start would have put free agency on
hold and perhaps pushed back the draft, which is currently scheduled for April
23-25 in Las Vegas.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL said the NFLPA would not provide
consent to delay the league year.

As such, all will go ahead as scheduled. The first notable deadline is Monday
at 11:59 a.m. ET, the last chance for teams to use either their franchise or
transition tag on pending free agents.

Noon ET on Monday then marks the beginning of the legal tampering period,
allowing agents to speak to other teams about their clients and negotiate
contracts. That period lasts until free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET
on Wednesday, at which time deals can become official. Any trades previously
agreed to can also become official on Wednesday.

Schefter reported earlier Sunday that there was "a different tone from teams"
regarding the chance of a delay, as compared to the tone before players signed
off the proposed CBA.

ESPN's Dan Graziano added that the expectation that there would be no delay
had grown throughout Sunday, with sources providing three primary reasons:

** Free agency doesn't involve crowds and thus presents no risk to fans

** In-person visits aren't necessary to get deals done

** The fear that the league year gets pushed back and two weeks later the
coronavirus outbreak is worse

Multiple teams have shut down facilities and ordered employees to work from
home, including the Cincinnati Bengals, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The
Bengals have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said during an interview Saturday that he
expected the start of the league year to be pushed back.

The CBA, approved by a narrow vote from NFL players, creates an immediate
impact for teams that had hoped to use the franchise tag and transition tag.
The new CBA allows teams to use one of the tags, both not both.

Among teams impacted by the change are the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee
Titans. Dallas is attempting to retain marquee offensive players, including
quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper, and the Titans are in
limbo with running back Derrick Henry and right tackle Jack Conklin set to hit
free agency. According to reports Sunday morning, the Titans are preparing a
"big" contract offer to Henry.

The Titans reportedly agreed to terms with quarterback Ryan Tannehill on a
long-term contract Sunday. While they did not release terms, ESPN's Jeff
Darlington said it's a four-year deal worth $118 million, with $62 million
fully guaranteed.

Meanwhile, draft prospect visits to NFL teams, who typically are allowed to
host 30 players between the end of the NFL Scouting Combine and mid-April, are
prohibited by the NFL. Instead the league ordered teams to conduct video or
telephone interviews with draft-eligible players until further notice.

Had the league year been delayed, several major roster bonuses would have been
pushed back with it. Instead, such bonuses will be paid out this week. The
largest, according to NFL Network are:

Rams QB Jared Goff - $21 million

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger - $12.5 million

Jets MLB CJ Mosley - $10 million

Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith - $9 million

Eagles QB Carson Wentz - $8 million

Rams RB Todd Gurley - $7.55 million (and a $5.5 million base salary guarantee)

Bears CB Kyle Fuller - $7.5 million

Lions QB Matthew Stafford - $6 million

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers - $5.24 million

Vikings WR Adam Thielen - $5 million

--Field Level Media