The New York Giants might be beneath the “Arduous Knocks” highlight this summer time and the AFC North might be through the in-season model of the favored HBO NFL sequence.
However what if each staff hung out beneath the white-hot glare of “Arduous Knocks” cameras throughout coaching camp?
We requested Yardbarker NFL writers to decide on the dominant “Arduous Knocks” storyline for each staff within the NFC.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Has anybody seen CeeDee Lamb? | The 2023 NFL second-leading receiver was absent for minicamp, and due to Justin Jefferson’s new contract, he now has 140 million reasons to skip training camp. Nothing on the observe subject can match the drama of Lamb’s negotiations, giving HBO producers an ideal, Keyser Soze-like figure for the sequence.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Who desires to play tight finish? | Just lately retired Darren Waller upset in 2023, however his 86 profession video games are 57 greater than tight ends Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson have performed in mixed. If neither exhibits chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones, the staff may add a veteran free agent reminiscent of former Saint Jimmy Graham or commerce for Dawson Knox, who spent three years in HC Brian Daboll’s system when Daboll was OC with Buffalo.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | What does Nick Sirainni do? | The Eagles’ HC gave up play-calling duties in 2021 and now says he’ll take a CEO-style strategy towards working the Eagles, permitting new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to run the offense and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to run the protection. Sirianni struggled when requested to explain his job responsibilities on the staff’s season-ending information convention, which may communicate volumes concerning the route of the staff.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Dan Quinn’s trophy quarterback | Quarterback Matt Ryan already had 181 touchdowns and 66 wins in his pocket when Quinn took the Atlanta Falcons in 2015, however now, the 53-year-old head coach will get 23-year-old Jayden Daniels, a former Heisman winner and No. 2 choose on this 12 months’s draft. Quinn believes Daniels “has the starvation of a youthful participant” and likewise “the swagger and tranquility of a veteran,” however how calm will the coach be if Daniels would not know a blitz is coming? — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Marvin Harrison Jr.’s affect | The Cardinals wanted an affect playmaker on offense and hope to have landed one with Harrison Jr. on the No. 4 total choose. He has already wowed teammates in offseason actions and is getting into the season as one of many prime favorites to be the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the 12 months.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Changing Aaron Donald | It’s by no means straightforward changing an all-time nice at any place, however that’s what the Rams are going through this season following the retirement of defensive deal with Donald, a surefire Corridor of Famer. DT Kobie Turner regarded like a rising star a 12 months in the past, and the Rams used a second-round choose on one other DT, Braden Fiske. Can both fill huge sneakers in the course of the protection?
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | The large receiver drama | The 49ers would not have many weaknesses, however they’ve main drama at large receiver. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have been the middle of commerce rumors all offseason, with Aiyuk lately going viral on social media for a video saying the 49ers don’t need him again.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | The post-Pete Carroll period | After 14 years of Carroll as HC, the Seahawks have a brand new head coach in former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Although the Seahawks fell into mediocrity the previous three seasons beneath Carroll, he nonetheless had them persistently aggressive and posted a successful report in all however three seasons, giving Macdonald a reasonably excessive bar to succeed in as a rookie HC. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | The brand new guys | After an eventful offseason that included the addition of No. 1 total choose Caleb Williams (QB) and No. 9 choose Rome Odunze (WR) — together with veteran acquisitions D’Andre Swift (RB) and Keenan Allen (WR) — the Bears are feeling fairly good about themselves. However will the brand new guys be sufficient to assist the Bears contend within the NFC North towards the Packers and reigning division champion Lions?
DETROIT LIONS | Can Detroit recover from the hump within the NFC? | Over the previous 10 seasons, the San Francisco 49ers are the one NFC staff to advance to the Tremendous Bowl a 12 months after shedding within the convention title sport. Oddly sufficient, heading into 2024, the Niners and Lions are top-tier contenders, doubtlessly placing Detroit in a novel place to repay the favor.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Is Jordan Love for actual? | In his first full season as beginning quarterback, Love emerged because the franchise’s new face, main Inexperienced Bay to the divisional spherical of the playoffs and ending second within the NFL in landing passes (32) and seventh in passing yards (4,159). Nonetheless, after his breakout marketing campaign, Love will not be a shock.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Can J.J. McCarthy win the beginning job? | Because the Vikings face life with out Kirk Cousins, rookie McCarthy is clearly the long run, nevertheless it’s unsure when he’ll play. The staff has gone out of its strategy to promote free-agent acquisition and former No. 3 choose Sam Darnold because the starter, however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how ex-Michigan star McCarthy handles the competitors, understanding he’ll be the person ultimately. — Mike Santa Barbara
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | The Cousins-Penix Jr. relationship | When the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 total within the NFL Draft, they invited an pointless distraction at quarterback. Will veteran free-agent signee Kirk Cousins take the younger gunslinger beneath his wing or depart him to determine issues out on his personal?
CAROLINA PANTHERS | How does Bryce Younger look beneath first-year head coach Dave Canales? | The second-year quarterback might be beneath a microscope throughout his first coaching camp beneath new head coach Canales. With “Arduous Knocks”-level entry, followers and media may spend hours dissecting each underthrown move and ball batted down on the line to marvel how lengthy the wedding lasts between the 5-foot-10 QB and HC.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | What occurs with RB Alvin Kamara? | The off-field drama between Kamara, who’s searching for a revised contract, and the entrance workplace may make for extremely tense tv. The 2017 Related Press Rookie of the 12 months isn’t owed any assured cash after this season, and the cap-strapped Saints may not be ready to provide him the contract he seeks.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Who picks up first tab? | With three consecutive NFC South crowns and 2024 free brokers Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. signed to long-term offers, the Bucs don’t have a lot drama surrounding them. As an alternative, with Tampa Bay’s star trio signing offers price a mixed $130M assured, essentially the most intrigue is who picks up the tab after their first meal. — Eric Smithling