The brief summer season trip is over for NFL gamers. It’s time to start the journey to Tremendous Bowl 59.
Coming off a disappointing end within the AFC championship recreation, the Baltimore Ravens grew to become the primary staff to open coaching camp after they welcomed rookies on Saturday. Nineteen extra groups get underway this week and all 32 golf equipment will open doorways by July 24.
Everyone seems to be 0-0 however expectations aren’t the identical. Some groups are authentic contenders. Just a few are rebuilding.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are aiming to turn out to be the primary staff to three-peat for the reason that 1965-67 Inexperienced Bay Packers received three consecutive NFL championships.
Eight groups have new head coaches. A number of star quarterbacks modified groups.
Coaching camp dates
Whereas 20 groups start camp this week for rookies, most veterans don’t report till subsequent week. Solely the Ravens, Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Houston Texans can have their full groups in camp this week. The defending AFC South champion Texans are first to open doorways to vets on Wednesday.
The Texans and Bears will kick off the exhibition season within the Corridor of Fame recreation on Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio.
The Chiefs will host the Ravens in a rematch of the AFC title recreation to begin the common season on Sept. 5.
New head coaches
Jim Harbaugh is again within the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers after main Michigan to a nationwide championship. Dan Quinn took over for the Washington Commanders, getting his second head coach alternative. Raheem Morris is also a second-time head coach, taking the job with the Atlanta Falcons.
Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers), Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks) and Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans) are first-timers after profitable stints as coordinators.
Antonio Pierce was promoted from interim coach in Las Vegas after main the Raiders to a 5-4 document within the second half of final season.
Jerod Mayo has the largest footwear to fill, changing six-time Tremendous Bowl champion Invoice Belichick with the New England Patriots.
Groups with new quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins joined the Falcons in one of many early surprises in free company. Atlanta then pulled off a much bigger shocker, deciding on QB Michael Penix with the No. 8 choose within the draft after giving Cousins $100 million assured.
Russell Wilson tries to revive his profession in Pittsburgh the place he’ll enter camp because the starter however the Steelers additionally acquired Justin Fields simply in case.
The Bears drafted Caleb Williams at No. 1 general and the Commanders took Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels second. Each are doubtless beginning Week 1. The Patriots chosen Drake Maye third, however he might begin the season backing up veteran Jacoby Brissett.
Sam Darnold replaces Cousins in Minnesota solely to maintain the seat heat for rookie J.J. McCarthy.
Veteran Gardner Minshew will compete with second-year professional Aidan O’Connell for the beginning spot in Las Vegas.
Rookie Bo Nix will battle Jarrett Stidham for the job in Denver. The Broncos additionally added Zach Wilson.
Prime camp storylines
Keep watch over potential holdouts.
Cowboys All-Professional broad receiver CeeDee Lamb missed obligatory minicamp and should not report back to camp as a result of he desires a brand new contract. A number of of Lamb’s friends bought paid this offseason and he’s subsequent.
Justin Jefferson set the marketplace for elite receivers, getting a four-year, $140 million contract extension that included $110 million in assured cash. A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith additionally acquired new offers.
The Cowboys might have wage cap points. QB Dak Prescott enters the ultimate season of a four-year, $160 million contract and star edge rusher Micah Parsons is due for a brand new deal quickly.
Lamb isn’t the one receiver searching for extra money. San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase are potential holdouts or hold-ins — these are gamers who present as much as keep away from fines however don’t follow.
Edge rusher Haason Reddick was traded from Philadelphia to the Jets as a result of he desires a brand new contract. New York didn’t give him one so he didn’t report for offseason exercises.
The Dolphins and QB Tua Tagovailoa are speaking a few new contract as he enters the season on the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal. It’ll be fascinating to see how Tagovailoa handles the preseason if negotiations stall.
His teammate, Tyreek Hill, has already acknowledged he desires a revamped deal after shedding his standing because the highest-paid wideout.
Different camp storylines
Aaron Rodgers is returning to the New York Jets after his first season with the staff lasted simply 4 performs due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Rodgers, who skipped obligatory minicamp however attended OTAs, has been throwing for the reason that finish of final season and ought to be able to go.
Cousins can also be getting back from a torn Achilles tendon. He participated in Atlanta’s offseason periods and can navigate an odd state of affairs along with his future successor already on the staff.
The NFL dramatically overhauled the kickoff guidelines so the preseason would be the first alternative to see how groups will deal with all of the modifications.
Roster cuts
Groups can carry a most of 90 gamers all through coaching camp and for all of their preseason video games. Rosters should be trimmed to 53 by 4 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27.
Camp scorching spot
California will host six groups for coaching camp, together with the three groups (Rams, Chargers, 49ers) that may play within the state. The Cowboys, Saints and Raiders additionally will maintain camp within the Golden State.
