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The countdown is over. NFL training camp is here. Every team is 0-0, so there is hope in every city that this season will end with a championship parade.
Bryce Young and the defending NFC South champion Carolina Panthers report Wednesday. So do the Arizona Cardinals, led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur. The teams will meet in the Hall of Fame Game that begins the preseason on August 6.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots open camp on Friday. They will meet in a rematch of the Super Bowl that opens the regular season on September 9.
Many teams have a lot of questions to answer before Week 1. It’s a long road to Los Angeles, home of Super Bowl 61 on February 14. Valentine’s Day will be the last date the game will be played.
That means more football. Ten teams have new coaches. Some have new quarterbacks. Some superstars have changed teams.
Training camp begins
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers report to camp on Saturday, making it six teams before the end of this week. The NFC West rivals will play the first game of the regular season in Australia on September 10. The remaining 26 teams must arrive next Tuesday.
Head coaches in new places
John Harbaugh joined the New York Giants after Baltimore fired him after 18 seasons. He has Jaxson Dart and some talented players to build around.
Two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski took over in Atlanta after six seasons in Cleveland. He inherits a team that has many playmakers on offense, including All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. They have to decide if Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. will be the quarterback.
Robert Saleh is the new manager in Tennessee. The Titans are coming off back-to-back 3-14 seasons, but Saleh already has a franchise quarterback in Cam Ward and hired Brian Daboll to develop him and run the offense.
Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers meet again in Pittsburgh. They won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay and are aiming for the Steelers to get at least their first playoff win since January 2017.
The other six new head coaches are rookies. LaFleur has a difficult task in Arizona. Klint Kubiak helped Sam Darnold win a Super Bowl in Seattle and hopes to rebuild the Las Vegas Raiders. Jeff Hafley went from leading Green Bay’s defense to leading the Miami Dolphins. Joe Brady replaced Sean McDermott in Buffalo after the Bills fell short in the playoffs.
Todd Monken replaced Stefanski in Cleveland and Jesse Minter is the new coach in Baltimore.
The quarterback carousel spins again
Tagovailoa has a chance to revive his career with Stefanski in Atlanta after a disappointing finish in Miami. Kyler Murray left Arizona for Minnesota, where the Vikings hope he can stay healthy and regain his Pro Bowl form.
Kirk Cousins is the stopgap for the Raiders, who selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. Malik Willis built on three strong starts in two seasons with the Packers to land a $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins that includes $45 million fully guaranteed.
Geno Smith returned to the Jets. Justin Fields is Patrick Mahomes’ new backup in Kansas City. Kenny Pickett is Carolina’s new No. 2, veteran Andy Dalton joined Philadelphia to play behind Jalen Hurts and Gardner Minshew left for the Cardinals.
Quarterback competitions in various cities
Tagovailoa and Penix will compete in Atlanta. Cousins is expected to start in Las Vegas but Mendoza could end up starting sooner rather than later. Murray has to beat out JJ McCarthy, who was the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2024.
The most interesting battle will be for the Browns’ starting job. Deshaun Watson returns after missing 2025 to compete with Shedeur Sanders.
The other main stories
Will Baker Mayfield get a contract extension from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Mayfield is in the final season of a three-year, $100 million contract. He is expected to make around $55 million per season and another three-year deal makes sense.
Will Aaron Donald come out of retirement to join two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in Los Angeles? The Rams acquired the five-time All-Pro from the Browns and bolstered their secondary by adding cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Donald, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, is 35 years old and hasn’t played since retiring after the 2023 season.
Joint Internships
More teams are opting to use practices against other opponents to prepare their quarterbacks and key starters for the regular season instead of preseason games.
Only the Lions, Chiefs, Broncos and Steelers do not participate in any joint sessions.
When are staff cuts?
Teams can carry a maximum of 90 players during training camp and for all of their preseason games. Lists must be reduced to 53 by 6 pm EDT on August 30.
Associated Press information.
