NFL coaching staffs may return to team facilities

Another big step was taken towards the return of regular offseason activities.

NFL teams have gradually been allowing more employees to return to team facilities, but members of the coaching staff have not been among those permitted to go back.

That appears to be changing.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, coaches may return to team facilities beginning tomorrow, June 5.

A memo was just sent to teams. Among other news: “Beginning tomorrow, June 5, coaching staffs may be among the employees returning to your facility.” Big news.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2020

Rapoport laid out more details through an excerpt of the memo that has been sent to teams.

Here is the crux of the memo that just went out to teams from the NFL regarding coaches being back in the building safely. Still no players, but a reason for optimism. pic.twitter.com/A8LyqqHJK3

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2020

Coaches may only return if teams have received permission to re-open from their respective state and local governments. In the case of the New York Jets, they are good to go in this department. It appears the only team that will have to wait a while longer is the San Francisco 49ers.

Teams will be allowed to expand the maximum number of employees in their buildings to 100, with coaches counting towards that number.

As detailed by the memo, “members of the coaching staff will count towards the maximum number fo permissible club employees in the facility. Beginning tomorrow [June 5], clubs may increase the number of employees in the facility to a total of 100, subject again to state and local regulation and implementation of the protocols developed under the leadership of Dr. Sills.”

This is a big step forward. Next, the league must tackle the questions of when players can return and when training camp can begin.