NFL modifies free-agency rules, delays offseason activities amid coronavirus

NFL free agency will open as scheduled at 4 p.m ET on March 18, but it'll suffer a few alterations in order to limit potential exposure to the coronavirus, the league announced Monday.

The league also announced offseason team activities will be delayed indefinitely as the NFL and NFLPA continue to monitor the pandemic. Teams with new head coaches were scheduled to begin their offseason programs on April 6, while other clubs were set to start activities 14 days later.

During free agency, clubs may not host any free agents at their facilities. Team personnel may not use or travel to other locations to meet with players during negotiations.

Additionally, a free agent may undergo a medical exam in his home city or other nearby location (a "neutral physician exam") as a condition of entering into a contract. The requesting club will handle the cost of the exam, and a player may decline to undergo the exam.

Should a player forgo a physical, the player's entitlement to receive and retain any reporting, roster, or signing bonus can be conditioned upon a successful physical exam at the club's facility after it reopens.

Players aren't allowed to enter any team facilities until at least March 31.

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