25 things to keep an eye on in NFL training camps

Atlanta tried to repair their quarterback scenario by giving Cousins $100 million assured. The transfer is a threat given Cousins’ age (36 in August) and the truth that he is getting back from a torn Achilles. His wholesome will probably be price watching all through coaching camp and into the common season.

The 49ers and Aiyuk appear to be at an deadlock, with a potential commerce on the horizon. He is been a key a part of the offense in current seasons, however the crew has already added a backup plan in first-round choose Ricky Pearsall.

Burrow was affected by accidents final season, with a calf challenge suffered in coaching camp adopted by wrist surgical procedure. The wrist stays a priority this yr as he recovers from a uncommon process for NFL gamers. Added concern is the lack of veteran operating again Joe Mixon, which might put extra stress on Burrow.

A giant contract for Allen necessitated the Payments to make modifications on the offense, shedding beginning middle Mitch Morse and wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The Payments did discover replacements, together with second-round wideout Keon Coleman, however the modifications are a threat as they attempt to compete with the Dolphins within the AFC East and the Chiefs within the convention.

The Mac Jones period ended unceremoniously in New England, and the crew spent one other first-round choose on a quarterback in Maye this yr. He is competing with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the beginning job to open the yr on a crew constructing past 2024. Maye’s progress will probably be price watching all through the season.

The Panthers could not have had a worse 2023 season, ending with the worst file within the NFL as they fired first-year head coach Frank Reich midseason and watched first total draft selection Bryce Younger flounder. To make issues worse, their commerce to accumulate Younger meant that they did not have the primary total draft selection that they earned in 2024. Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has been employed to repair Younger and the remainder of the offense.

Baltimore’s offense took off final season with extra passing below new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Sadly, that very same recipe was ineffective within the playoffs when the crew tried to carry off the Chiefs within the AFC Championship. The lack of receiving expertise, together with Odell Beckham Jr., and the addition of Derrick Henry would counsel the crew will get again to their outdated run-heavy methods.

The Vikings may have a brand new beginning quarterback after transferring on from Kirk Cousins, but it surely’s unclear who will start the yr because the starter. Minnesota signed Darnold within the offseason earlier than drafting McCarthy within the first spherical. There are excessive hopes for McCarthy, however Darnold has garnered loads of followers across the NFL for his uncooked potential. The crew, led by Justin Jefferson, has the weapons to assist both quarterback succeed.

Richardson flashed expertise in his rookie season however performed solely 4 video games, ending solely two of them, attributable to accidents. The Colts long-term plans hinge on Richardson to remain wholesome, and the crew’s success this season could possibly be totally depending on him.

There was controversy in Chicago over what to do with the primary total choose after Justin Fields made progress final season. In the end, the crew opted to commerce Fields and choose Williams first total. Surrounded with a bevy of weapons together with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift, Williams has the potential to supercharge one of the thrilling offenses within the league.

After the disappointing Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh introduced in each Russell Wilson and Justin Fields within the offseason. Each quarterbacks have their warts, however additionally they present large upside in Arthur Smith’s offense. After poor current quarterback play, Steelers followers have some purpose to be optimistic.

Harbaugh fell simply wanting successful a Tremendous Bowl with the 49ers earlier than heading to Michigan, the place he gained a Nationwide Title final yr. He returned to the NFL and the Chargers to finish unfinished enterprise. The job was extraordinarily fascinating with Justin Herbert at quarterback, although the crew needed to make some cutthroat strikes within the offseason attributable to cap difficulties. The rebound could possibly be sluggish in an AFC West division with the Chiefs, however the Chargers will probably be enjoyable to observe within the meantime.

The current id of the Titans franchise has been Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel. Each are out this yr because the Titans begin a brand new technology with head coach Brian Callahan and several other new offensive weapons, together with Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley. Tennessee’s roster nonetheless has its fair proportion of points, however will look very totally different in 2024.

Houston was one of many NFL’s most stunning groups final season, successful the AFC South with the emergence of C.J. Stroud and nice teaching from DeMeco Ryans. They hope to maintain the great occasions rolling after a number of main offseason additions led by Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs, and Danielle Hunter. There’s purpose to consider Houston will probably be a drive within the AFC.

Washington turned the web page on one other teaching workers, firing Ron Rivera and hiring former Falcons head coach and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. He hopes to repair a horrible protection, whereas the offense ought to get a jolt from Daniels. The LSU star has a number of thrilling weapons, together with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson, and Austin Ekeler as he begins his NFL profession.

The Lions lastly ended their playoff win drought final yr, successful their first postseason sport since 1991. The expectations have been raised much more after reaching that bar final yr, as Detroit appears to be like to construct on back-to-back successful seasons and attain the Tremendous Bowl.

Mahomes had arguably his worst NFL season in 2023 with little assist at huge receiver. Nonetheless, his sturdy postseason efficiency helped the Chiefs win back-to-back Tremendous Bowls and their third ring in 5 years. Kansas Metropolis is now attempting to develop into the primary crew ever to win three consecutive Tremendous Bowls. Mahomes has extra assist with the additions of wideouts Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, and the star quarterback has bulletin border materials after he was ranked solely fourth on the High 100 Gamers of 2024 record.

Whereas Payton couldn’t repair Russell Wilson in his first season with the Broncos, he does have an fascinating new quarterback in rookie Bo Nix. The previous Oregon star was extremely environment friendly in school, drawing comparisons for his dimension and sport to former Payton quarterback Drew Brees. The primary yr could possibly be a piece in progress, however Denver’s future appears to be like a lot clearer now that Nix is in uniform.

Dallas moved on from Tony Pollard within the offseason, however their transfer to interchange him was considerably stunning. Regardless of his age and dwindling pace, the Cowboys introduced again former workhorse Ezekiel Elliott and look to have a full-blown committee on the operating again this season. It is a concern getting into the yr, particularly with a number of modifications on the offseason line.

Future Corridor of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will flip 41 in December, and barely final one common season sport final season attributable to a torn Achilles. But, the Jets are relying on the veteran quarterback to revive the crew after one other disappointing season, and have gone all-in including veterans like Mike Williams and Tyron Smith to assist. With added off-field controversy, the 2024 Jets season will probably be fascinating to observe.

The Browns signed Watson to a controversial five-year, assured contract two years in the past, however they’ve nearly nothing to indicate for it. Watson clearly hasn’t been the identical participant when he is taken the sector, and the crew was extra profitable with out him late final season. Cleveland hopes to see Watson in his early-career type this season, or they may make different plans in 2025.

The Giants gave Jones a profitable contract final offseason after it appeared he turned the nook with the crew’s new teaching workers. That momentum halted final yr as Jones struggled and tore his ACL. New York have given Jones extra receiver assist this yr led by rookie Malik Nabers.

Final yr was Love’s first as a daily NFL starter. After some early-season hiccups, he could not have regarded higher down the stretch and into the playoffs. Inexperienced Bay signed Like to a profitable deal already, but it surely stays to be seen if he can proceed his nice play over a full season.

The Rams cross rush has been ferocious for the final decade with Aaron Donald breaking down defenses on the inside. That would change along with his retirement, because the crew will now be counting on younger gamers like Kobie Turner and Jared Verse. The lack of defensive coordinator Raheem Morris makes the duty much more tough.

Saquon Barkley did not get the contract he was looking for from the Giants, so he went to the rival Eagles. It is a slap within the face for New York, however the Eagles might see the profit as they give the impression of being to enhance on D’Andre Swift’s nice manufacturing final yr.