Whether or not the Falcons have a home date in the U.K. in '21, as they were set to this year, is unclearGETTY IMAGES
The NFL yesterday officially canceled its five planned international games due to the ongoing pandemic, but the teams that play in those games next year "may not be the same as the ones slated to go this year," according to Albert Breer of SI.com. The Jaguars were set to play two games at Wembley Stadium, and are "under contract to go again" in '21. But "whether or not the Falcons or Dolphins have home dates" in the U.K. in '21, as they were set to this year, or the Cardinals play in Mexico in '21, as they were set to this year, "remains to be seen." Meanwhile, as the NFL worked with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and officials from Wembley and EPL club Tottenham Hotspur, and Televisa in Mexico, the "differences in circumstances from country to country became apparent." As part of returning to the field in the fall, the NFL "plans to implement strict protocols at its stadiums," and it was "clear in talks that it was going to be hard to impose the same ones internationally at venues that would only be hosting a game or two." As for where the NFL is going internationally, the league is "under contract to play at least two games at Wembley and two at Tottenham" in '21, and the "two-year deal the NFL just did to play in Mexico City will roll over, and be effective" for '21 and '22 (SI.com, 5/4).
EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS: Pro Football HOF President David Baker said that there are "five different contingency plans under consideration" for the annual preseason HOF Game on Aug. 6 and the "ceremony to induct 10 new Hall of Famers, currently scheduled for two days later." USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell notes Baker still is "hopeful of keeping the Hall's signature -- and most lucrative -- weekend intact." One possibility would be to "push the game and ceremony to a point later in August if the NFL scales back the preseason." If the Cowboys-Steelers HOF Game is "scratched, the enshrinement for five modern-day selections, two coaches and three contributors could be combined with the unique Centennial Celebration slated for Sept. 16-19." Holding a "virtual enshrinement" like the NFL Draft is "not an option." Baker said that he "wants to preserve traditions such as the Hall of Fame parade and the Gold Jacket Dinner." Bell reports if the HOF Game is canceled, two other options that "haven't been ruled out for 2021: staging the enshrinement during Easter Weekend or inducting two classes" (USA TODAY, 5/5).
