NFL doesn't account for coronavirus pandemic in 2020 schedule

On Wednesday, NFL insider John Clayton reported on Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan that he'd heard the league's 2020 schedule would begin with four weeks of AFC-versus-NFC action to account for the coronavirus pandemic that could shorten the season to 12 or even 10 games.

On Thursday evening, we learned that's not the case.

The NFL allowed clubs to release individual schedules at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday, and fixtures mostly looked as normal as they would any year.

For example, the New Orleans Saints host Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. The New York Jets open against the Buffalo Bills. The Cleveland Browns play the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals over the season's first two weeks.

However, the entire NFL schedule is subject to change.

Earlier in the day, California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested stadiums across his state won't be filled with spectators until a vaccine and/or immunity are achieved. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have announced they intend to have decreased capacity for games in September to encourage social distancing protocols.

Dutch health minister Hugo de Jonge said spectators shouldn't be welcomed to football matches until a coronavirus vaccine is available.
The NBA and NHL have remained suspended since the middle of March, and the pandemic indefinitely pushed the start of MLB Opening Day back to either June or July at the earliest.

Recently, CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Boston Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh, and Manchester City star Sergio Aguero all publicly spoke of fears regarding playing while the virus is uncontrolled.