KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs have suspended non-essential travel for coaches and scouts and instructed most employees to work from home for at least two weeks as the sports world continues taking precautionary measures posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That means the team’s scouts will not be on the road for college pro days scheduled over the next few weeks, although many colleges have started canceling pro days on their own. All pro day performances are recorded with video and testing results distributed to all clubs.
The club suspended all business travel and all non-essential travel for coaches and scouts for the time being as it continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19. The team issued a statement indicated it consulted with the NFL and its chief medical officer in taking “appropriate action in the face of the growing threat.”
“The health and safety of our players, coaches, and staff is our top priority,” the statement read. “While we have had no positive cases of coronavirus, we believe it is best to take preemptive action out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of our employees and our community.”
The club has also direct non-essential personnel to work remotely for a minimum of 14 days beginning March 16.
Earlier Thursday afternoon the NFL canceled its annual schedule for March 29 through April 1 in Palm Beach, Florida. Agent Erik Burkhardt, who represents Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark, posted on Twitter that he was notified that the NFL had canceled all facility visits by 2020 draft prospects.
Multiple national reports Thursday afternoon indicated that the NFL still planned on starting its new league year as scheduled on March 18. That includes the beginning of the league’s free agency period.
The NFL Players Association is scheduled to close voting on the proposed collective bargaining agreement at 11:59 p.m. Saturday. The deadline was previously extended 48 hours from a Thursday deadline unrelated to the COVID-19 situation.
The league previously extended the window for designating franchise and transition players until noon Monday. The Chiefs have until then to officially place the franchise tag on defensive tackle Chris Jones.
As of now, teams are permitted to contact agents for players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents beginning at 3 p.m. central time Monday. The new league and free agency period officially begins Wednesday at 3 p.m.
