Patriots hoping for full NFL stadiums in 2021?

Earlier this month, San Francisco 49ers president Al Guido expressed confidence that ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollouts will allow all NFL clubs to fill stadiums with fans by Week 1 of the 2021 regular season next September. 

Guido isn't alone in hoping for the best this winter. 

According to Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, (via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio), the New England Patriots, a team that didn't welcome any paying spectators during the 2020 campaign because of COVID-19 concerns, have delayed the due date for season-ticket payments from next month to June 1. A letter sent to New England season-ticket holders explains the delay is related to the belief that the Patriots will be permitted to fill Gillette Stadium "at full capacity" next fall. 

The letter was sent roughly one week after Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker said he thinks there's a "good shot" the Hall of Fame Game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers scheduled for Aug. 5 will be the first NFL event with a full stadium since the pandemic hit the United States last year. 

Through his actions over the past six months, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has left little doubt that the league will work with both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials on plans for welcoming spectators to stadiums. The Patriots, and every other franchise, can be optimistic at this stage of the process but must also remain prepared for at least one more season filled with restrictions and setbacks.