The NFL season is upon us! Okay, it’s just practice, but optimism abounds as training camps open across the league Wednesday, July 23. Here are some of the big storylines as players and coaches prepare for kickoff, just 43 days away.
What’s happening in the NFC East?
In the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles lost four stalwarts from their top-ranked defense, but they are otherwise ready to run it back after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, 40-22. Quarterback Jalen Hurts said the team has put that accomplishment behind them.
“Ultimately, it’s a new journey, a blank canvas, and we are who we are, we have who we have,” Hurts said. “Regardless of whether you win a championship or lose a championship, the next year you have to be able to reset.”
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The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys would also like to reset. Both had disappointing seasons in 2024. Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll named Russell Wilson the starting quarterback on Wednesday. The Cowboys are still dealing with disgruntled linebacker Micah Parsons, who showed up to camp, but without the new contract he is seeking.
In Washington, star receiver Terry McLaurin is not as accommodating. He’s a camp holdout while negotiations continue between his agent and the Commanders.
Can the Bears challenge the Vikings in the North?
In the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings finished the regular season with a 14-3 record but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams. Their former quarterback, Sam Darnold, is now in Seattle, and second-year player J.J. McCarthy from Michigan will take his first snaps as starting quarterback.
The Chicago Bears feel like they are on the rise with Caleb Williams. He’ll benefit from the tutelage of new head coach Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator in Detroit. The plan is to get the second-year quarterback to make a big leap, and one statistic could be the key.
“I would love for him on the season to complete 70% of his balls,” Johnson said. “You would think in practice he will complete 70% or more, that’s hard to just magically arise in a game. It’s a lofty goal, but it’s one that we’re going to strive for.”
What about the two Aarons?
In the AFC, there are a lot of eyes on new head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets. The team just signed its two biggest stars, Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, to massive contract extensions. Now they’ll work to turn the franchise around, along with new quarterback Justin Fields.
Another Aaron was dumped by the Jets and is now in Pittsburgh. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers begins his 21st season with a new superstar target in former Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf. On defense, pass-rushing terror T.J. Watt received a new contract extension just in time for Wednesday’s first practice.
Who’s holding out in the AFC?
In Cincinnati, four-time pro-bowler Trey Hendrickson is still hoping for his extension and did not show up for the first day of practice. His holdout will overshadow camp as long as he’s absent. He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last year.
There’s a new sheriff in Las Vegas. The oldest coach in the league, soon-to-be 74-year-old Pete Carroll, is excited about his Raiders roster. The group will be led by his old Seahawks quarterback, Geno Smith. Carroll went to two Super Bowls during his 14-year run in Seattle and won it all after the 2014 season. He’s not shy about setting expectations for his current group.
“We’re going to win a ton,” Carroll said. “We’re going to win a bunch of games, I can’t even imagine, I’ve been winning 10 games a year for 20 years or something, you know. What are my expectations? We’re going to win a bunch and I don’t care who hears that.”
What are the expectations for the top rookies?
The Tennessee Titans may not win a ton, but they have the top pick in April’s draft. Cam Ward will likely be the starting quarterback when the Titans open the season. Coach Brian Callahan plans to use some of the concepts that helped Ward excel in college to create an environment where he feels comfortable and can succeed.
“I think at the end of the spring, he was starting to really understand and feel what that timing feels like,” Callahan said. “This is now going to be a huge point of emphasis in this early part of camp to get as comfortable with it as possible as quickly as we can. And I think he’s up to that task.”
It will be interesting to watch how Jacksonville uses two-way star Travis Hunter in camp. The new Jaguars coaching staff had him spend most of his time on offense in the spring because that’s harder to learn, but he will also be regular on defense. Head coach Liam Coen is adamant he can play both full-time and has every minute of practice mapped out.
“You wanna give him a couple days offense, a couple days defense and then give him an opportunity to go flip-flop within the same practice,” Coen said. “Then that will kind of become the norm.”
Or, in this case, the new norm. No player in the modern era has ever been a full-timer on both sides of the ball. Check back here for the latest developments in the weeks leading up to the first regular season game, Thursday, Sept. 4.
