NFL memo says teams will forfeit games for COVID outbreaks

A new memo sent to NFL clubs outlined a massive new implication for the 2021 season stating that any team who has a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players will forfeit that week’s game and be credited with a loss.

The NFL just informed clubs that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will FORFEIT and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding, per sources.

Massive implications.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021

For playoff seeding, the forfeit counts as a loss — and the opposing team will be credited with a win.

Tom Pelissero reported that the memo also indicates financial liability and potential discipline for the team responsible for any cancelled games because of unvaccinated players and staff.

The biggest penalty will come against the players who will not get paid if a game is canceled.

“If a game is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled within the current 18-week scheduled due to a Covid outbreak, neither team’s players will receive their weekly paragraph 5 salary.”

Figures in recent stats that show 13 teams had crossed the 85% vaccination threshold.

A number of teams had COVID outbreaks last season before the vaccine was available: the Ravens, Texans, Colts, Broncos, Chiefs, Cowboys, Packers, Bears, 49ers, Cardinals, Eagles, Raiders, Lions, Falcons, and Dolphins.