The NFL hasn’t attempted to formally contain its teams to a bubble, but it’s an effort the New Orleans Saints have embraced by renting out a hotel for players, coaches, and support staff to use during training camp. And Saints coach Sean Payton has been encouraged by its results, early on; the Saints have designated just three players to the league’s reserve/COVID-19 list since camp began, and all three returned to practice in a few days after retesting negative and clearing protocol.
Payton used that experience to inform his suggestion on an NFL competition committee conference call, recommending that the league explore how it could build a bubble for the playoffs much like what the NBA and NHL have done, to great success.