The at-home camera shots were fun while they lasted.
The NFL notified its 32 teams this week that they can return to their draft rooms for the NFL draft event held April 29-May 1 in Cleveland.
Teams must follow COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, including no drinking or eating in the draft room headquarters and mask-wearing at all times, according to the memo. Cameras will showcase the location of the general manager and head coach.
The pandemic created a unique viewing experience during last year's draft as coaches and general managers worked in front of cameras in their homes.
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the selections from his basement, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick showcased his dog and Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel had a teenager in a superhero costume as part of his backdrop. Many NFL personnel were shown with their families in the moments after the picks.
NFL team facilities were mostly vacant during that time, but business has slowly returned to normalcy after the league produced a full season with no cancellations. For free agency next week, players can visit team facilities for physicals, which wasn't the case a year ago.
Each team must submit a draft room plan by March 26 for Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, to review. That plan must include the location and layout of the room as well as number of people attending.
Teams are also permitted to use third-party off-site facilities as a draft room. Here's to guessing teams won't use the head coach's basement for that.
