In news that brought a mixed bag of reactions, the NFL sent out a memo to league participants indicating that there will be losses to consider beyond just a game if COVID19 gets in the way of a scheduled contest this season. This could affect the Packers, if a COVID outbreak came among unvaccinated players. The league announced that it won’t make the same accommodations as it did in the 2020 season when teams occasionally rescheduled games, sometimes on Tuesday’s or even a Wednesday. In 2020’s 17-week schedule, the league made sure to play all 272 scheduled games. This year, the league is planning an 18-week schedule, but without the hiccups that came last season. The Packers made it through the season with very few COVID positives, and zero rescheduled games. 

While most restrictions are no longer in place for vaccinated players, those that haven’t taken the vaccine will be subject to 2020’s NFL COVID19 protocols. As a result of a potential COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak may have to forfeit the game and take a loss. Other penalties include players not receiving game checks and the losing team having to pay for financial losses from the lost game. As of Thursday, 78% of the league’s players are either fully vaccinated or in the process of getting vaccinated. All teams are above a 50% vaccination rate, and 14 organizations are above the 85% mark. It was reported in June that while they are waiting on the players roster to catch up, Packers staff is nearly all vaccinated.