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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Analysis: After draft, some obstacles ahead for NFL in 2021

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2021, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Green Bay, Wis. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says the team remains committed to Rodgers “for the foreseeable future” one year after trading up in the first round to draft the three-time MVP’s potential successor. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2021, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Green Bay, Wis. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says the team remains committed to Rodgers “for the foreseeable future” one year after trading up in the first round to draft the three-time MVP’s potential successor. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File) FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2021, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Green Bay, Wis. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says the team remains committed to Rodgers “for the foreseeable future” one year after trading up in the first round to draft the three-time MVP’s potential successor. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)

With a successful in-person draft in Cleveland behind it, the NFL inexorably moves on.

What’s ahead might not go so smoothly as the selection process did on the shore of Lake Erie.

For one, the league and the players’ union likely will be hassling over offseason programs for, well, the rest of the offseason.

For another, while Commissioner Roger Goodell and the 32 team owners rather loudly are embracing the idea of full stands come the regular season, there are far too many uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic that are still a significant factor.

As for major storylines for the teams, no need to look beyond Green Bay up north and Houston down south.