Training Camps Open as NFL Teams Prepare for Upcoming Season
Training Camps Open as NFL Teams Prepare for Upcoming Season
As summer draws to a close, anticipation builds with NFL teams kicking off their training camps. Football fans are readying themselves for another season filled with drama, excitement, and the inevitable highs and lows that come with America’s favorite sport.
Texans Get a Head Start
The Houston Texans are among the early birds, having started their camp on a Wednesday. The Texans aim to tweak their roster and sharpen their strategies for the challenges that lie ahead. This week also marks the reporting period for most rookies, as fresh faces look to make their mark in the league.
All Eyes on Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts continues to be a focal point. A year ago, Hurts inked a then-record $255 million deal. He went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl two years ago, earning significant respect in the league. According to Cody Benjamin, “One year after landing a then-record $255 million deal, and two years after going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, Hurts isn’t going anywhere.”
Hurts’ journey has been anything but conventional, helping to pave the way for Kellen Moore’s arrival as the new offensive coordinator. His performance will play a pivotal role in determining the fate of Philadelphia's head coach, Nick Sirianni. "Hurts' trajectory in the new system could determine the fate of coach Nick Sirianni as well," Benjamin noted.
An Equine Enthusiast
Shifting gears, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White has a passion away from the gridiron—horse riding. White grew up in rural Louisiana, where he learned to ride horses at a young age. Josh Edwards highlighted this, stating, “Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since.” White owns several horses and a property to house them, showcasing his commitment to the equestrian lifestyle.
Golden Moments and Golf Triumphs
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Gable Steveson is another player with noteworthy achievements, but not just in football. Steveson won a gold medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota. According to Edwards, “Steveson was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota and is now using his leverage exposure to deconstruct blocks in the NFL.”
Meanwhile, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen has also found success outside football, this time on the golf course. Thielen recently finished seventh in the American Century Championship and boasts a respectable 0.6 handicap. As Edwards put it, “It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer."
What Could Have Been in Tampa Bay
Tom Brady’s tenure in Tampa Bay is also a point of discussion. Brady’s arrival not only revitalized the Buccaneers but also attracted several free agents to the team, resulting in a Super Bowl LV victory. Intriguingly, every point scored in that Super Bowl came from players who weren’t on the team the previous year. However, not all potential collaborations came to fruition. Terrell Owens revealed some behind-the-scenes drama, stating, “Tom Brady ignored me. The year that AB went crazy ... they just needed somebody to fill some holes with AB leaving at the receiver position. I reached out to him through Randy [Moss] and some other people, just to come in and play third down and red zone situations. This dude ignored me."
Ravens and Bengals Face Roster Challenges
The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with the departures of key players like Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson. Jared Dubin pointed out the gravity of the situation, stating, “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.”
Similarly, the Cincinnati Bengals are navigating a transitional phase after moving on from Joe Mixon. Zack Moss is expected to fill the void, but the uncertainty remains. Dubin added, “The Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to replace him with Zack Moss.”
Quarterback Carousel Continues
The United Football League also made headlines with its 2024 UFL College Draft held on a Wednesday. A total of six quarterbacks were selected, with Jason Bean going No. 1 overall and John Rhys Plumlee taken as No. 3. Notably, two Colts quarterbacks, Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis, found new homes through the draft, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming UFL season.
As NFL training camps unfold and storylines develop, fans can expect a mix of the expected and the unexpected in another enthralling season of football.
