NFL and NFLPA agree to conduct daily COVID-19 testing

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to conduct daily COVID-19 testing, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. This comes after San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said that daily testing was essential. If you’re wondering about the financial implications, it won’t be cheap. BioReference Laboratories and the NFL have a general deal for 120 tests per day, with a flat fee divided by the 32 teams. Extra tests are available to each team at a rate of $125 per test. They will start daily testing for the first two weeks, then go to every other day if the positive test rate falls below 5%. If it doesn’t, the NFL will continue to test daily. Players will need multiple negative tests before they’re allowed to be in the building for physicals or team activities, per Pelisssero.

The lesson learned from the NFL was to “take it slow,” as they learned from other leagues. The global pandemic has been on the rise since the middle of March, and we’re nearing the end of July, and there is no plan in place still. I’d say the NFL learned from the NFL in regards to “taking it slow.”

Agreeing to these testing results was the 7th of 7 major health and safety protocols that needed to be completed, per Pelissero. Other issues are still being negotiated, including economics, and if there will be any preseason games. Adam Schefter said a league source told him “getting closer on most if not all issues.”

Good for the players.