NFL's upcoming schedule release will include full 17-week slate

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While the NFL is putting together contingency plans for a delayed season due to the COVID-19 crisis, the schedule release late next week won't have any major changes, league spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The schedule will be a full 17-week slate, including the season opener on Sept. 10 and the Super Bowl on Feb. 7. It will reportedly be released by May 9.

"We plan to start on time," McCarthy said.

The league has reportedly planned schedule alterations that would allow the season to start up to five weeks later. Changes include moving the Super Bowl to the end of February and eliminating bye weeks and the Pro Bowl.

The initial schedule also won't have any Saturday games despite the idea reportedly being discussed if the college football season is canceled.

The NFL isn't considering gathering players in a centralized location in order to save the season, an idea the NBA, MLB, and NHL have explored, a source told Fowler.

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