As the summer break draws to a close, NFL teams are gearing up for the upcoming season with intense training camps. Notable movements and strategic shifts are already making headlines, setting the stage for an exciting pre-season.
Texans and Rookies
The Houston Texans inaugurated their camp on a Wednesday, marking the start of rigorous preparation. With most NFL rookies slated to report this week, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. These young athletes have much to prove and will be looking to make an immediate impact on their respective teams.
Hurts Leads the Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts remains a focal point in NFL discussions. A year ago, he secured a then-record $255 million deal. 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." Hurts' impressive feats in the previous years have only heightened expectations.
Hurts' performance in the upcoming season is pivotal, especially with Kellen Moore stepping in as the new offensive coordinator. "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," noted Benjamin.
Devin White's Equestrian Passion
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White has a unique off-field passion that sets him apart. He is an avid horse rider, a skill he honed in rural Louisiana. "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since," shared Josh Edwards. White owns several horses and a property to house them, illustrating his deep connection to equestrian sports. Edwards added, "There are multiple elements of equestrian, like dressage, cross country, jumping, etc. ... so White could focus on one discipline."
Gable Steveson's Dual Talent
The Buffalo Bills boast a formidable talent in defensive lineman Gable Steveson, who is also an Olympic gold medalist. Steveson clinched the medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. "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 Josh Edwards. His wrestling prowess, marked by two national championships at Minnesota, compliments his football skills, enabling him to deconstruct blocks efficiently.
Adam Thielen's Sporting Versatility
Carolina Panthers' wide receiver Adam Thielen isn't just known for his on-field acumen; he's also a celebrated golfer. His success in pro-am golf tournaments, including a recent seventh-place finish at the American Century Championship, attests to his versatility. "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer," noted Edwards, emphasizing Thielen's impressive 0.6 handicap.
Shifting Dynamics in the NFL
Tom Brady's influence on the Buccaneers went beyond game strategy, as his presence in Tampa Bay attracted several free agents. Notably, every point in their Super Bowl LV victory came from players who were not on the team the previous year. However, not all interactions with Brady were positive. Reflecting on a personal experience, Terrell Owens shared, "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. It just shows you the lack of respect there, but then when they get in front of you they want to act like they respect you."
Challenges for the Ravens and Bengals
The Ravens and Bengals face significant challenges with key departures and player injuries. The Ravens are grappling with the exits of Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson as well as ongoing knee issues affecting Ronnie Stanley's performance. Jared Dubin commented, "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 Bengals are adjusting to life without Joe Mixon, now replaced by Zack Moss. Deshaun Watson's performance has been under scrutiny since 2020. "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?" questioned Dubin. The Steelers also face uncertainties without Diontae Johnson, putting additional pressure on their quarterbacks to step up.
UFL Draft Highlights
Beyond the NFL, the United Football League's 2024 UFL College Draft saw significant activity. Held on a Wednesday, a total of six quarterbacks were selected. Jason Bean was the No. 1 overall pick, while John Rhys Plumlee was selected third. The Colts saw two of their quarterbacks, Jason Bean, and Kedon Slovis, find new homes through the draft, indicating a strategic shift in the league's landscape.
As training camps progress, these developments promise to shape the dynamics of the upcoming NFL season, providing fans and analysts with much to anticipate and dissect.