The 2020 NFL Draft saw quite a few interesting picks by teams like Tampa Bay, with the subsequent season scheduled to begin in September, pending further developments in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Following the draft, teams like the Buccaneers commenced their usual signing of undrafted free agents, but this year’s crop of UFAs may have an uphill climb in making the 55-man roster due to the cancellation of the rookie mini-camp, mandatory mini-camp and OTAs due to the pandemic. 

This affects players like Boise State guard John Molchon, who signed with the Bucs, and will have far fewer opportunities to showcase his growth in Tampa Bay’s offense, especially with two fewer preseason games this year due to the virus outbreak. Over the weekend, the NFLPA voted to cancel the preseason entirely, while the NFL has yet to comment on that proposed move.

Aside from playing guard at Boise State, Molchon also played tackle, and has the position flexibility the Bucs are looking for. Molchon was named first-team All-Mountain West twice, and the Broncos won more than 10 games in every season that he played in since his freshman year and went on to play in bowl games.

Before moving on to Molchon’s prospects this year of being part of the Bucs’ roster for the NFL, it is important to note the disruption that the pandemic has caused to sports all around the world. Most major sporting leagues and events, such as NCAA’s March Madness tournament, were cancelled or postponed in the aftermath of the virus’ surge globally, with many of them only now able to resume, but in the absence of many – or any – fans.

In such a scenario, it is expected that the NFL will also be played with fewer fans this season, at least initially, with the prospect of this year’s Super Bowl in Tampa being held in an empty Raymond James Stadium quite possible as well. During these periods of lockdown that many countries have seen, including the United States, it has been especially difficult for many athletes like Molchon to find training and practice facilities to work out in and prepare for training camp.

Bucs G John Molchon – Photo courtesy of Boise State

Molchon has referenced how his training regimen was interrupted due to the pandemic before the draft, and he then started working out at his assistant coaches’ garage, before moving to Las Vegas from Boise. Once in Las Vegas, he trained at a sports facility to get ready for the NFL Combine, along with other rookies and a few NFL veterans. Additionally, during this time, it has been interesting to see how Las Vegas, one of the casino and gambling hubs of the world, has been forced to shut down in the face of the pandemic. This has led to a lot of increased traffic on online gambling websites, with online roulette and poker becoming immensely popular for people stuck indoors.

As for Molchon’s chances of making the Bucs’ 55-man roster, it is imperative that he stay healthy in training camp and quickly master Bruce Arians’ playbook, or Tampa Bay may opt to re-sign veteran Earl Watford due to his experience in the system. Molchon is obviously looking forward to blocking for one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Tom Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion, who signed with the Bucs this season after a 20-year career with the New England Patriots. How long Molchon blocks for Brady this year will largely be determined by his performance in training camp. It could be four weeks or four months if he can make Tampa Bay’s 55-man roster as a reserve this year.