25 things to keep an eye on in NFL training camps

Atlanta tried to fix their quarterback situation by giving Cousins $100 million guaranteed. The move is a risk given Cousins’ age (36 in August) and the fact that he’s returning from a torn Achilles. His healthy will be worth watching throughout training camp and into the regular season.

The 49ers and Aiyuk seem to be at an impasse, with a possible trade on the horizon. He’s been a key part of the offense in recent seasons, but the team has already added a backup plan in first-round pick Ricky Pearsall.

Burrow was plagued by injuries last season, with a calf issue suffered in training camp followed by wrist surgery. The wrist remains a concern this year as he recovers from a rare procedure for NFL players. Added concern is the loss of veteran running back Joe Mixon, which could put more pressure on Burrow.

A big contract for Allen necessitated the Bills to make changes on the offense, losing starting center Mitch Morse and wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The Bills did find replacements, including second-round wideout Keon Coleman, but the changes are a risk as they try to compete with the Dolphins in the AFC East and the Chiefs in the conference.

The Mac Jones era ended unceremoniously in New England, and the team spent another first-round pick on a quarterback in Maye this year. He’s competing with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting job to open the year on a team building beyond 2024. Maye’s progress will be worth watching throughout the season.

The Panthers couldn’t have had a worse 2023 season, finishing with the worst record in the NFL as they fired first-year head coach Frank Reich midseason and watched first overall draft choice Bryce Young flounder. To make matters worse, their trade to acquire Young meant that they didn’t have the first overall draft choice that they earned in 2024. Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has been hired to fix Young and the rest of the offense.

Baltimore’s offense took off last season with more passing under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Unfortunately, that same recipe was ineffective in the playoffs when the team tried to hold off the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. The loss of receiving talent, including Odell Beckham Jr., and the addition of Derrick Henry would suggest the team will get back to their old run-heavy ways.

The Vikings will have a new starting quarterback after moving on from Kirk Cousins, but it’s unclear who will begin the year as the starter. Minnesota signed Darnold in the offseason before drafting McCarthy in the first round. There are high hopes for McCarthy, but Darnold has garnered plenty of fans around the NFL for his raw ability. The team, led by Justin Jefferson, has the weapons to help either quarterback succeed.

Richardson flashed talent in his rookie season but played only four games, finishing only two of them, due to injuries. The Colts long-term plans hinge on Richardson to stay healthy, and the team’s success this season could be fully dependent on him.

There was controversy in Chicago over what to do with the first overall pick after Justin Fields made progress last season. Ultimately, the team opted to trade Fields and select Williams first overall. Surrounded with a bevy of weapons including D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift, Williams has the potential to supercharge one of the most exciting offenses in the league.

After the disappointing Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh brought in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in the offseason. Both quarterbacks have their warts, but they also show big upside in Arthur Smith’s offense. After poor recent quarterback play, Steelers fans have some reason to be optimistic.

Harbaugh fell just short of winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers before heading to Michigan, where he won a National Title last year. He returned to the NFL and the Chargers to complete unfinished business. The job was extremely desirable with Justin Herbert at quarterback, though the team had to make some cutthroat moves in the offseason due to cap difficulties. The rebound could be slow in an AFC West division with the Chiefs, but the Chargers will be fun to watch in the meantime.

The recent identity of the Titans franchise has been Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel. Both are out this year as the Titans start a new generation with head coach Brian Callahan and several new offensive weapons, including Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley. Tennessee’s roster still has its fair share of issues, but will look very different in 2024.

Houston was one of the NFL’s most surprising teams last season, winning the AFC South with the emergence of C.J. Stroud and great coaching from DeMeco Ryans. They hope to keep the good times rolling after several major offseason additions led by Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs, and Danielle Hunter. There’s reason to believe Houston will be a force in the AFC.

Washington turned the page on another coaching staff, firing Ron Rivera and hiring former Falcons head coach and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. He hopes to fix a terrible defense, while the offense should get a jolt from Daniels. The LSU star has several exciting weapons, including Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson, and Austin Ekeler as he starts his NFL career.

The Lions finally ended their playoff win drought last year, winning their first postseason game since 1991. The expectations have been raised even more after reaching that bar last year, as Detroit looks to build on back-to-back winning seasons and reach the Super Bowl.

Mahomes had arguably his worst NFL season in 2023 with little help at wide receiver. Still, his strong postseason performance helped the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls and their third ring in five years. Kansas City is now trying to become the first team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Mahomes has more help with the additions of wideouts Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, and the star quarterback has bulletin border material after he was ranked only fourth on the Top 100 Players of 2024 list.

While Payton could not fix Russell Wilson in his first season with the Broncos, he does have an interesting new quarterback in rookie Bo Nix. The former Oregon star was highly efficient in college, drawing comparisons for his size and game to former Payton quarterback Drew Brees. The first year could be a work in progress, but Denver’s future looks much clearer now that Nix is in uniform.

Dallas moved on from Tony Pollard in the offseason, but their move to replace him was somewhat surprising. Despite his age and dwindling speed, the Cowboys brought back former workhorse Ezekiel Elliott and look to have a full-blown committee at the running back this season. It’s a concern entering the year, especially with multiple changes on the offseason line.

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will turn 41 in December, and barely last one regular season game last season due to a torn Achilles. Yet, the Jets are counting on the veteran quarterback to revive the team after another disappointing season, and have gone all-in adding veterans like Mike Williams and Tyron Smith to help. With added off-field controversy, the 2024 Jets season will be fascinating to watch.

The Browns signed Watson to a controversial five-year, guaranteed contract two years ago, but they have almost nothing to show for it. Watson clearly hasn’t been the same player when he’s taken the field, and the team was more successful without him late last season. Cleveland hopes to see Watson in his early-career form this season, or they could make other plans in 2025.

The Giants gave Jones a lucrative contract last offseason after it appeared he turned the corner with the team’s new coaching staff. That momentum halted last year as Jones struggled and tore his ACL. New York have given Jones more receiver help this year led by rookie Malik Nabers.

Last year was Love’s first as a regular NFL starter. After some early-season hiccups, he couldn’t have looked better down the stretch and into the playoffs. Green Bay signed Love to a lucrative deal already, but it remains to be seen if he can continue his great play over a full season.

The Rams pass rush has been ferocious for the last decade with Aaron Donald breaking down defenses on the interior. That could change with his retirement, as the team will now be relying on young players like Kobie Turner and Jared Verse. The loss of defensive coordinator Raheem Morris makes the task even more difficult.

Saquon Barkley failed to get the contract he was seeking from the Giants, so he went to the rival Eagles. It’s a slap in the face for New York, but the Eagles could see the benefit as they look to improve on D’Andre Swift’s great production last year.