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NFL news: In-person OTAs to start on April 19

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is probably thrilled

OAKLAND RAIDERS PRACTICE NAPA Jon Gruden

Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden is somewhere pumping his fist right about now.

NFL Media reported on Tuesday that the league has informed all teams that OTAs can begin on April 19. While nothing is set in stone, the current hope is for the OTA sessions to be in-person and not virtual as was the case last year. Team meetings will very likely be conducted virtually for the second straight offseason, however.

Gruden has been vocal about his disdain for the virtual offseason, which of course, became necessary in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was outspoken in his support of bringing back an in-person offseason even though the NFLPA has been lobbying to keep this offseason completely virtual.

While there are still more details to be ironed out, there appears to be a strong chance that Raiders will have most of their players (the offseason is mostly voluntary) in less than three weeks.

It’s starting to feel like football season.