While no decision has been made yet, it looks less likely by the day that the Hall of Fame Game between the Rams and Bears will be played on August 7. Just ask the Bears and Rams.
“Realistically, it’s just not enough time to do everything for the first day of training camp the way we’re going,” an executive from one of the teams told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. “We’re going to do what we have to do and we all have to live by the same rules, but it’s not going to be easy.”
A coach from one of the teams echoed the sentiment.
“The decision is probably going to be made for us,” a coach said. “You get past a certain point and you can’t play that game . . . the way things are going right now, I don’t think we’re going to have the time to travel for an extra game, let alone all the other stuff you’re talking about.”
The “other stuff” includes everything associated with the start of the new league year.
There has been some speculation that the game could possibly be moved. But the coach didn’t like the idea. (Surprise.)
“That’s three days you lose and we’re going to be struggling to get everything done already,” the coach said.
We would expect both teams to complain a little publicly and a lot privately if they are forced to play the game after the start of camp is delayed.
But the coach had the right idea when he said the decision is going to be made for them, whether they like it or not.