GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — It’s going to be a draft unlike any other, Thursday night’s NFL draft, originally scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, will take place instead entirely remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.
The draft wasn’t always the spectacle it has become in recent years and Green Bay Packers Public Affairs Director Aaron Popkey says viewers might see shades of what the draft once was.
“In some respects it harkens back to the days where it was the teams in their individual locations making it known to the league what their pick was,” Popkey told WTAQ.
Unlike in those days, however, this is definitely going to be a made-for-TV event, even with social distancing and videoconferencing. While they won’t be cutting in on screaming fans, you might see Packers fans on your screen after they make their pick.
“They’re calling it a ‘virtual inner circle’,” Popkey explained. “So as the draft unfolds, as the windows present themselves on the broadcast, you may see some Packers fans.
It will be carried on major networks and there will be plenty of coverage just for Packers fans on their website, too.
“GM Brian Gutekunst and members of his personnel team will be available on Packers.com and on some of the social channels,” Popkey said. “You can hear them talk about the picks each day.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur will join Gutekunst online when the draft concludes.
The NFL is also holding a Draft-a-Thon supporting COVID-19 relief efforts during the broadcast. The Packers have picked The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay, The Salvation Army Milwaukee County, Brown County United Way and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County to receive the local allocation of funds on behalf of the Packers. Fans can donate now throughout the Draft on nfl.com/relief.
