Notes: NFL expects to have coaches back in facilities next week

On Thursday, the NFL decided to extend the virtual offseason another two weeks, ensuring that teams will continue to conduct their season preparations from a distance. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams stating that he expects NFL coaches to be permitted to return to their team facilities next week.

Currently, NFL teams are only permitted to use their team facilities if state laws allow it, and teams are only allowed to have nutritionists, doctors and administrative staff—as well as players that are going through rehab—within the facility doors.

The NFL won’t open facilities to coaches until all 32 teams have been permitted by their respective states to go back to work. Goodell notes that he has been speaking with state officials to start the opening process back up for the NFL.

“We expect that next week clubs will be permitted to include members of their coaching staff among the employees permitted to resume work in the club facility,” Goodell wrote in an official statement leaked by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “We are actively working with Governors and other state and local authorities in those states that have not yet announced definitive plans and will confirm the precise date on which coaches can return to the facility as soon as possible.”

Currently, the Detroit Lions must adhere to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, which was recently extended to June 12. The facility in Allen Park remains completely closed, and last week head coach Matt Patricia said he didn’t expect to return to the facility for a “couple weeks.”

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