Training Camps Begin
NFL training camps are now underway, with all teams starting the season with an even record. This brings a sense of anticipation to every city, as each team aims for a championship.
The Carolina Panthers, defending NFC South champions, and the Arizona Cardinals, under new head coach Mike LaFleur, began their camps on Wednesday. These two teams are scheduled to face each other in the Hall of Fame Game on August 6, which will mark the start of the preseason.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots are set to open their camps on Friday. They will meet in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the regular season on September 9.
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will report to camp on Saturday. These NFC West rivals are slated to play the first regular-season game in Australia on September 10. The remaining teams are expected to join next Tuesday.
Coaching and Quarterback Shifts
Several teams are entering the season with new leadership. John Harbaugh has joined the New York Giants after his departure from Baltimore. He will be working with Jaxson Dart and other players.
Two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski has taken over in Atlanta after six seasons in Cleveland. He inherits a team with offensive playmakers such as All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts. The team will need to determine whether Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. will be their starting quarterback.
Robert Saleh is the new coach in Tennessee. The team is coming off consecutive seasons with a 3-14 record. Saleh has Cam Ward and has brought in Brian Daboll to develop him and manage the offense.
Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers have reunited in Pittsburgh, having previously won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay. Their goal is to help the Steelers achieve their first playoff win since January 2017.
Among the new head coaches, six are first-timers. LaFleur faces a challenge in Arizona. Klint Kubiak, who contributed to Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl win in Seattle, is now looking to rebuild the Las Vegas Raiders. Jeff Hafley has transitioned from leading Green Bay’s defense to coaching the Miami Dolphins. Joe Brady has replaced Sean McDermott in Buffalo after the Bills‘ playoff struggles.
Todd Monken has taken over from Stefanski in Cleveland, and Jesse Minter is the new coach for Baltimore.
The quarterback landscape has also seen significant changes. Tagovailoa has an opportunity to revitalize his career with Stefanski in Atlanta. Kyler Murray has moved from Arizona to Minnesota, where the Vikings hope he can maintain his health and return to his previous form.
Kirk Cousins is serving as a temporary solution for the Raiders, who drafted Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. Malik Willis secured a contract with the Dolphins after three solid starts over two seasons with the Packers, a deal that includes a significant guaranteed amount.
Geno Smith has returned to the Jets. Justin Fields is now a backup for Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. Kenny Pickett is a new No. 2 in Carolina, while veteran Andy Dalton has joined Philadelphia to play behind Jalen Hurts. Gardner Minshew has moved to the Cardinals.
Several cities will see quarterback competitions. Tagovailoa and Penix will compete in Atlanta. While Cousins is expected to start in Las Vegas, Mendoza could potentially start earlier. Murray will compete with J.J. McCarthy, who was the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2024.
The competition for the starting job in Cleveland is also notable, with Deshaun Watson returning to compete with Shedeur Sanders.
Other Key Storylines and Preparations
One storyline involves Baker Mayfield and a potential contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield is in the final season of a three-year deal. Another point of interest is whether Aaron Donald will come out of retirement to join Myles Garrett in Los Angeles. The Rams have acquired Garrett and strengthened their secondary by adding cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Donald, who is 35, has not played since retiring after the 2023 season.
The Cardinals are also dealing with a contract situation involving Jacoby Brissett, who is the presumed starter. Brissett reported for mandatory minicamp to avoid fines, but his level of participation is unclear. Head coach LaFleur has downplayed Brissett’s limited offseason involvement, citing his experience. Brissett recorded 3,366 yards in 12 starts during the 2025 season.
The Cardinals also selected Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the draft. This choice has raised questions given the team’s existing running back talent, including Tyler Allgeier and James Conner. Love has expressed a team-first attitude. The team has also made other first-round picks in recent years, including wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024, and defensive linemen Darius Robinson and Walter Nolen in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The Rams have made significant offseason moves, including acquiring Myles Garrett. How Garrett integrates into defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s system will be observed during camp. The team’s defensive line also includes Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske. The Rams also drafted quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. Simpson is competing with Stetson Bennett to back up Matthew Stafford, who is returning for his age-38 season. The team also added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Many teams are opting for joint practices with other opponents to prepare their quarterbacks and key starters for the regular season, rather than relying solely on preseason games. The Lions, Chiefs, Broncos, and Steelers are not participating in any joint sessions.
Teams are permitted to have a maximum of 90 players throughout training camp and during all preseason games. Rosters must be reduced to 53 players by 6 p.m. EDT on August 30.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.