NFL drops ALL pandemic protocols due to 'encouraging trends' nationwide

The NFL has suspended all aspects of its COVID-19 protocols due to recent declines in the national infection rates, which is good news for Aaron Rodgers, Cole Beasley, and other players who were fined for defying the league’s pandemic policies last season. 

In an agreement with the players’ association, the league sent a memo to the 32 teams Thursday in which it mentioned ‘encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of COVID-19, the evolving guidance from the CDC, changes to state law and the counsel of our respective experts’ as reasons for the move.

Should the NFL find reasons to reimpose any aspects of the protocols, it will do so in conjunction with the NFL Players Association.

Teams are required to remain in compliance with state and local laws and may continue ‘reasonable measures to protect their staff and players,’ said the memo.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell puts on his mask ahead of Super Bowl LVI on February 13 

The NFL has suspended all aspects of its COVID-19 protocols due to recent declines in the national infection rates

COVID-19 cases have fallen to their lowest level since last summer in recent weeks, after a winter spike from the highly transmissible omicron variant. Deaths, though, which lag cases by weeks, are still elevated, with an average of nearly 1,700 people dying in the US each day.

Officials emphasize that most instances of serious illnesses and death in the US occur among those who are unvaccinated or who have not received a booster dose of vaccine.

The CDC recently loosened its guidance for when face masks should be worn in public indoor settings, placing more emphasis on local capacity to treat serious disease than overall case counts. Now more than 70 percent of the country can safely remove masks indoors, the CDC says, and the percentage is expected to grow as cases continue to decline.

A cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams wears a mask during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on December 21

While most states and localities moved to relax their mask requirements even before the CDC change, many have kept mandates in place for schools, and the federal government continues to require face masks on public transportation, including airplanes. The federal mandate is to expire on March 18, and health officials did not provide any indication whether it would be extended.

Meanwhile, businesses across the country are struggling to navigate employees’ lingering concerns about COVID-19 and desire for the flexibility of working from home. Many companies’ would like to get workers back into offices.

Several players have butted heads with the NFL over the league protocols, including Aaron Rodgers, the reigning two-time MVP and Green Bay Packers quarterback 

Several players have butted heads with the NFL over the league protocols, including Rodgers, the reigning two-time MVP and Green Bay Packers quarterback. Rodgers tested positive for the virus in November after previously telling reporters at training camp in August that he was ‘immunized’ against the virus.

Rodgers later explained he sought alternative treatments rather than the NFL-endorsed vaccinations because he is allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He didn’t specify the ingredient.

That same month, the NFL fined the Packers $300,000 and issued $14,650 fines to Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard after the players attended a Halloween party in violations of COVID-19 protocols.

Beasley, the Buffalo Bills receiver, was more defiant than Rodgers, accumulating around $100,000 in fines for a range of COVID-19 protocol violations, according to ESPN.

Like Rodgers, Beasley also tested positive for COVID-19 and missed a game against the Patriots in December.

Cole Beasley, the Buffalo Bills receiver, was more defiant than Rodgers, accumulating around $100,000 in fines for a range of COVID-19 protocol violations, according to ESPN