DENVER -- As the sports world goes dark, the NFL will wade into the spotlight next week. The plan remains for free agency to begin at 10 a.m. Monday with the legal tampering period. That's when executives can talk with agents and agree to deals that can become official Wednesday at 2 p.m.
The Broncos will be seeking upgrades at offensive guard, receiver, linebacker and defensive line. How their free agency period goes will dictate the direction in the draft. But before focusing on landing the likes of Patriots guard Joe Thuney, Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, Chicago cornerback Prince Amukamara, guard Graham Glasgow or even running back Melvin Gordon, the Broncos addressed concerns related to the spread of the coronavirus.
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As MLB, NBA, and MLS suspended their seasons and NCAA's March Madness was canceled for the first time since its inception in 1939, the NFL began adopting new measures.
With health and safety the primary focus, the Broncos have told employees to work from home if they choose, using their professional and personal discretion. They have been preparing for this for two weeks and communicated with players and employees on Wednesday night. Per sources, coach Vic Fangio met with his coaches and informed them they are free to do their evaluations from home regarding the draft and free agency.
While the UCHealth Training Center boasts added sanitation stations and has undergone triple the cleaning, the Broncos are seeking to reduce the volume of employees in the office. The facility remains open to players rehabbing injuries like running back Phillip Lindsay (wrist) and Bradley Chubb (knee).
Denver remains in contact with the league regarding hosting college prospects for their allocated 30 visits and how physicals will be conducted for signed free agents. The league is expected to issue a standard protocol for these issues to prevent any competitive disadvantage. The Broncos have two scouts on the road -- one on each coast -- but with college pro days mostly canceled they will be returning home.
There are also multiple Broncos events scheduled at Empower Field at Mile High this month that are expected to be called off as well.
