As the NFL Prepares for a New Season, Key Stories Emerge from Teams’ Camps
With summer break concluding, NFL teams are starting their training camps in preparation for the upcoming season. The Houston Texans, for instance, kicked off their camp on a Wednesday, signaling the start of an intense football period. Notably, most rookies are set to report this week, adding a fresh dynamic to the veteran squads.
Philadelphia Eagles: High Stakes and New Roles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who famously secured a then-record $255 million deal a year ago, remains a pivotal figure for the team. Reflecting on his journey, Cody Benjamin noted, "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. 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' performance in this new system could potentially determine the future of head coach Nick Sirianni.
On the defensive side, linebacker Devin White is making headlines off the field. Known for his love of horse riding, White learned to ride in rural Louisiana and now owns several horses. "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since," mentioned Josh Edwards. This passion continues to be a significant part of his life outside football.
Buffalo Bills: Gable Steveson's Transition
Buffalo Bills’ defensive lineman Gable Steveson’s journey from wrestling to football is nothing short of remarkable. Steveson, a gold medalist in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, has transitioned from a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota to a promising NFL player. "Steveson is the only gold medalist on this list. He won the medal in the 125kg weight class as part of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics," said Edwards. This significant achievement underscores his athletic prowess and adaptability, now deconstructing blocks in the professional football arena.
Carolina Panthers: Thielen’s Versatility
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is not just excelling on the football field. Thielen has achieved considerable success in pro-am golf tournaments, most recently finishing seventh at the American Century Championship. Edwards highlighted Thielen's golfing skills: "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer. One report stated that his handicap is a 0.6." This versatility showcases Thielen's varied talents and dedication to excelling in multiple sports.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Brady Effect
Tom Brady’s impact on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is undeniable. His arrival attracted several free agents, and it was evident in their Super Bowl LV victory where every point scored came from players who weren't on the team the previous year. However, not all interactions have been positive. Terrell Owens shared a personal anecdote reflecting on this: "Tom Brady ignored me. The year that AB went crazy ... they just needed somebody to fill some holes with AB leaving. 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. It just shows you the lack of respect there," Owens expressed his frustration, revealing a different side to the often-praised quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens: Challenges Upfront
The Baltimore Ravens are grappling with significant changes on their offensive line following the departure of key players Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson. Additionally, Ronnie Stanley is dealing with lingering knee issues, which have affected his performance. Jared Dubin pointed out that, "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."
AFC North Shake-Up: Bengals and Browns
The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are also facing pivotal moments. The Bengals have decided to move on from Joe Mixon and are looking at Zack Moss as his replacement, indicating a shift in their offensive strategy. Dubin remarked, "The Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to replace him with Zack Moss... There's a lot of uncertainty there."
Meanwhile, the Browns are navigating inconsistent performances from quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has struggled since 2020. Dubin added, "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?" As both teams adjust, the outcomes of these changes will significantly influence their seasons.
United Football League: Draft Day Highlights
The United Football League held its 2024 UFL College Draft, with six quarterbacks being selected. Jason Bean was the No. 1 overall pick, followed by John Rhys Plumlee at No. 3. This draft also saw two Colts quarterbacks, Bean and Kedon Slovis, finding new homes. These selections could offer a preview of the upcoming talents set to make their mark in professional football.
As the NFL prepares for another thrilling season, these narratives from training camps, individual achievements, and significant changes provide a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of professional football.