Training Camps Begin as NFL Gears Up for Another Season
As summer break winds down, NFL teams across the league are getting back into the grind with the commencement of training camps. Notably, the Houston Texans started their camp mid-week, while most rookies are set to report over the upcoming days.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been a focal point of recent discussions, primarily centered on their star quarterback, Jalen Hurts. A year has passed since Hurts secured a lucrative $255 million deal, a record-setting agreement at the time. Reflecting on Hurts' performance, Cody Benjamin articulated, "One year after landing a then-record $255 million deal, Hurts isn't going anywhere. That starts with Hurts, whose more mercurial follow-up to 2022's breakout helped facilitate Kellen Moore's arrival as the new offensive coordinator. Hurts' trajectory in the new system could determine the fate of coach Nick Sirianni as well."
Jalen Hurts' leadership remains crucial for the Eagles, especially after his fierce competition with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl two years ago. With Kellen Moore now steering the offensive coordination, eyes are firmly set on how this new setup will pan out for Hurts and Head Coach Nick Sirianni. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's linebacker Devin White has been indulging in his passion for horse riding, a skill he honed growing up in rural Louisiana. Josh Edwards elaborates, "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since."
In Buffalo, the spotlight is on Gable Steveson, an illustrious athlete who won a gold medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Steveson, also a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota, is now leveraging his wrestling skills on the NFL field. Edwards highlighted his unique transition, "Steveson was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota and is now using his leverage exposure to deconstruct blocks in the NFL."
The Carolina Panthers' wide receiver Adam Thielen is making waves not just on the gridiron but also on the golf course. Recently, Thielen finished seventh at the American Century Championship, demonstrating his prowess in pro-am golf tournaments. Josh Edwards commends Thielen's skill, noting, "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer."
Tom Brady's tenure in Tampa Bay left a remarkable legacy, significantly influencing the team's roster. His presence attracted numerous free agents to the Buccaneers, with every point in their Super Bowl LV victory scored by players who weren't part of the team the previous year. However, Brady's interactions were not universally positive. As Terrell Owens recounted, "Tom Brady ignored me ... It just shows you the lack of respect there."
The Baltimore Ravens are navigating several challenges on their offensive line. Key players such as Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson have moved on, while Ronnie Stanley continues to grapple with lingering knee issues. As Jared Dubin notes, "The Ravens seemingly always figure things out up front; but with Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson leaving, and Ronnie Stanley both experiencing lingering effects of his knee issues and not playing at as high a level as he once did, there are a lot of balls up in the air."
In Cincinnati, the Bengals have decided to part ways with Joe Mixon, seeking to fill the void with Zack Moss. Concurrently, the Cleveland Browns face uncertainty with Deshaun Watson's performance, which has dipped since 2020. Dubin comments on the challenges facing the Browns and Steelers, saying, "Deshaun Watson hasn't been good since 2020. It is wholly unreasonable to count on him being good this year. Can the Browns keep winning if he keeps disappointing? And then the Steelers both no longer have Diontae Johnson to soak up targets."
Meanwhile, the United Football League recently held its 2024 UFL College Draft, with a total of six quarterbacks being selected. Jason Bean emerged as the No. 1 overall pick, while John Rhys Plumlee followed closely behind as the No. 3 pick. Interestingly, two quarterbacks associated with the Colts, Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis, found new opportunities through this draft.
As training camps escalate and roster decisions unfold, teams across the league are ramping up for an exciting and challenging season ahead. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await to see how offseason changes and new strategies will shape the landscape of the NFL.