There is so much uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season amid continued concerns surrounding the impact and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those concerns could leak into September when the regular season is scheduled to kick off. While doubt surrounding the actual playing of the NFL season seems to be dissipating as other sports plan their relaunches, what game days might look like remains a mystery.
Will there be fans in the stands? Will some teams have fans while others don't due to local restrictions? That could be the case for the San Francisco 49ers. They host their games at Levi's Stadium in a state that continues to have among the strictest restrictions in the country.
Starting on Monday, sports without fans in attendance will be allowed in San Francisco. The 49ers, however, must wait to see what Santa Clara County allows. While coaching staffs around the league have been allowed back into their facilities — in limited numbers — that isn't the case for head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff due to local restrictions.
Whatever the upcoming season looks like, the 49ers feel they will be prepared.
"Our medical staff has done an incredible job planning protocols and procedures for when we start up again," 49ere CEO Jed York told Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area this week. "I know our players and staff are ready and excited to get things rolling."
While the details remain murky, York is confident that a season will take place as planned. California may be taking a more cautious approach to reopening its economy, but it is happening. Just not at the pace of some more aggressive states.
"There will be a season in some way, shape, or form," York said. "After seeing the progress of reopening, I am confident in that."