After he signed a futures with the Carolina Panthers in late December, Springfield High School graduate Tyler Marz was looking forward to a new beginning with a new coaching staff. He was ready to prove himself and prove that he belonged in the NFL.

But the COVID-19 pandemic put the entire world on hold, and now Marz is hoping that his chances aren’t slipping away as the days move forward to what could be a disrupted offseason for the NFL.

“This is all out of anyone’s control, it’s not like the coaches or anyone can do anything about it,” Marz said. “You just have to try to make the most of the situation.”

Marz is home in Springfield doing individual workouts for the time being.

“Fortunately for me, I was about to head to Charlotte to start working out there and dive into the offseason team activities, but luckily I got to call and stay put just a little bit,” he said. “Here I’ve got more resources and things to do, where if I were stuck in an apartment, I’d be pretty bored and just sitting there. Things worked out that way and I’m able to still get out and go for bike rides or walks and runs or whatever it may be.”

The NFL told the players and teams recently that they’re not allowed to start virtual meetings yet. The NFLPA and the NFL have yet to come to an agreement as to how the meetings will be set up and what guidelines need to be followed. Marz said that he things those meetings will take place over Zoom or Facetime in the next few weeks.

He has access to a field nearby in Springfield that he can do individual workouts, such as footwork and O-Line specific drills. He uses some of the drills that he did while at the University of Wisconsin or when he was with the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s also continuing to lift and he’s become creative with his workouts.

“I’ve been splitting a lot of wood, it’s a different work out than lifting weights, you work different muscles which is never a bad thing,” he said. “Push-ups, body weight stuff. Fortunately I have a few weights at home.”

With the NFL draft coming up, Marz does have an advantage because he knows how to carry on with his workouts. While some of the younger guys may be taking a break from workouts, Marz has kept pushing.

He also keeps in touch with some of his old teammates about what they’re doing this offseason to stay in football shape.

“We’re kind of all in the same boat,” he said. “Do what you can while you’re at home and make the most of your opportunity.”

He also hasn’t had a chance to see much of the Panthers’ playbook.

“They’ve sent us a few generic videos, just kind of ways to go about this and have a positive attitude,” Marz said. “But other than that, it is what it is. I’m staying active.”

As for now, he’s trying his best to stay positive.

“It’s huge, because whenever the season starts up, I gotta be ready to roll,” he said. “This could be my make or break year. I’m in a small town where there are a lot of people losing their jobs or they’re out of work right now. Fortunately for me, I’ve done alright in the past, so I’m able to get by for the next few months. There’s a lot of negativity around this and I’m just trying to stay positive. Just thankful that we’re healthy and get to spend another day here.”