The New Orleans Saints have already touched down in Paris on Monday for their Week 7 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, but it is not exactly a smooth arrival. The city is grappling with ongoing local unrest, sparking what the source calls “full-blown riots,” making this first-ever NFL game in the French capital an intense situation from the jump.
The League’s Big Plans Hit a Snag
The NFL is pushing forward with its big plans for this historic game, hoping to stage what Ken Maguire of the Associated Press describes as a “mini-Super Bowl.” They have got an “NFL House” opening later this week, along with other fan activities planned. The Saints even have their own fan events locked in. But let’s be real, putting on a huge spectacle like that, especially with all the associated events, could just make the whole thing more “enticing for disruption” in an already tense environment. It is a tough spot for the league, trying to expand globally right into the middle of this.
Steelers Are Voicing Real Concerns
The Steelers, who are set to make the trip on Thursday, are clearly aware of the gravity here. Linebacker Cole Holcomb did not mince words, saying, “You would hope that the NFL is not going to put us in any bad situations. So if they feel like it’s safe for us to go, we’ll go.” Steelers Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the team has had a meeting where they talked about “potential concerns for the trip.” Even owner Art Rooney II has been involved in conversations about a contingency plan if the situation escalates. The idea of playing the game in New Orleans, the simplest Plan B, “presumably sailed” once the Saints landed in France. That means the “worst-case scenario at this point” is still very much on the table, and everyone has to be holding their breath wondering what that means for Sunday.
The game is still scheduled for this Sunday. With local unrest ongoing and the Steelers still needing to travel, it feels like this Week 7 matchup is less about the X’s and O’s and more about the NFL navigating a seriously challenging international debut.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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