A few weeks ago the NFL and NFLPA announced there will be no Preseason games this year due to COVID-19. I am fine with this idea as preseason does not mean much for the starters and veterans. However, this will affect rookies and undrafted free agents negatively as well as people trying to make a roster or improve their spot on the depth chart.
Preseason in football is four games where players look to make the roster or improve their spot on the depth chart. It also is the first time rookies get to see on-field competition against an NFL roster. How rookies play in the preseason will affect their confidence and development during the regular season.
Some players are notorious for having four great games in preseason and either making their teams or another teams roster.
Starters will typically only play the first drive or first quarter until the last game when the starters will go the first half.
Some notable players this will affect the most are rookie QB’s Joe Burrow of the Bengals, Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins, and Justin Herbert of the Chargers. These rookie QB’s were all projected to get playing time in their rookie season especially Burrow who is their starter. These quarterbacks could have used preseason to grow and flourish their game as well as prove to the world they deserve to play and start.
Some later round picks and undrafted players could have used preseason to show they belong but now they might not make a roster. I feel bad for those players but those players rarely pan out into anything special. Also, the players health and safety is most important.
Brian's World of Sports 