NFL clears way for teams to travel for training camp
Chiefs need league approval before forging ahead with camp in St. Joseph
A memo distributed to NFL teams on Friday clears the path for clubs to hit the road for training camp in 2021, subject to league approval, according to NFL Network.
Teams must submit a full infectious disease emergency response (IDER) plan similar to the plans clubs put together for their own facilities last offseason. The plan must detail how the club will comply with NFL-NFLPA negotiated COVID-19 protocols. Teams have until June 11 to submit their plans to the NFL-NFLPA Joint COVID Medical Committee.
During last weekend’s draft, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said he favors returning to the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
“Our hope and our mindset is that we will be in St. Joe for camp this year,” Hunt said. “That is something that the NFL still has not decided on. I know they’ll have to have some discussions with the union on the protocols that will be surrounding camp so we probably won’t know here for a month plus, but we certainly want to be back up in St. Joe.”
The club conducted its training camp in St. Joseph each season since 2010 except for last year’s COVID-19 disrupted offseason.
“It’s been a great environment for the team,” Hunt said. “I know Andy and his staff really like being up there and think it’s helped us be successful on the field.”
The Chiefs may make it back to St. Joseph but that doesn’t mean the experience will remain the same. Fans should expect greater distance between themselves and players — assuming fans are permitted — and autograph signings may remain out of the picture. The club must also submit plans on how they will isolate players from the rest of campus regarding lodging, meals, transportation and other situations.
The league memo also details plans for relaxing group activities outside of the club facility. Previously no more than three Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 staff members could gather outside the team’s facility. Now vaccinated players may gather with players and vaccinated staff members may gather with other vaccinated staff members away from work. Players and coaches still my not gather outside the club facility, and teams cannot organize events for players and staff to attend together.