Flexibility built into NFL schedule in case of pandemic-induced delay

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While the NFL is preparing to play a full 2020 schedule with the regular season beginning on Sept. 10, the 17-week slate was constructed with contingencies in mind.

The league intentionally scheduled two home games and two road games for every team in the opening month of the season. As such, if the season is delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the early weeks of the campaign could be moved to after Week 17, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Any week of the season could serve as the opening week.

Super Bowl LV is scheduled to be played in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 7, but that date could be pushed back multiple months if needed. Doing that currently isn't an active discussion, and the league would prefer not to exercise such measures, Schefter reports.

Finally, every club has been given the same bye week as its Week 2 opponent. That should provide the league with more scheduling flexibility should a health crisis force an adjustment.

"In preparing to play the season as scheduled, we will continue to make our decisions based on the latest medical and public health advice, in compliance with government regulations, and with appropriate safety protocols to protect the health of our fans, players, club, and league personnel, and our communities," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

"We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this offseason in safely and efficiently conducting key activities such as free agency, the virtual offseason program, and the 2020 NFL Draft," he added.

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