The New York Jets 2020 preseason has been cut down to two games after the NFL shortens the schedule for every organization.
The NFL has shortened the 2020 preseason schedule to two games, per Pro Football Talk.
2020 preseason has been cut in half, per source. Post coming at PFT.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 1, 2020
Weeks 1 and 4 will be the games that will be scrapped, which means the New York Jets may miss out on the two staples of the preseason, the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
Per Field Yates of ESPN, once every team reports to camp on July 28, a 23-day acclimation period begins.
Updated NFL preseason schedule:
July 28: Nearly all NFL teams report to training camp
23 day acclimation period begins
Preseason Week 1: August 20th-24th
Preseason Week 2: August 27th-31stSeptember 10th: Chiefs vs. Texans. The games begin 🏈.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 1, 2020
This would mean, as of now, the team’s Week 2 date in Detroit on Aug. 20 would remain set as would their Week 3 date at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The only difference would see Weeks 2 and 3 turn into Weeks 1 and 2 (with an extra week in between the end of the preseason and the start of the regular campaign).
This probably signals the end of the four-game preseason schedule as we know it. With the 17-game schedule on the horizon and the possibility of a shortened preseason firmly entrenched in the new CBA, this formula may logically be repeated in 2021 and beyond.
Logistically speaking, it makes all the sense in the world to cut it down to two games this summer. What’s happening in the world calls for such an action. But to eternally limit the number of preseason games will hurt the league in the long run.
Young players look to make a mark in August. Livelihoods are on the line and professional careers are created thanks to preseason games. Without a full slate coupled with the idea that training camps don’t feature any worthwhile hitting and live-action, future NFL kids looking to make an impact will also be cut down.
How the NFL officially shuffles the preseason matchups remains to be seen. It still makes all the sense in the world for the Jets and Giants to square off this summer, considering neither team will have to travel.
