In the end, soccer is again.
Effectively, type of.
NFL coaching camps start this week, providing home windows into the place the league’s most intriguing rookies, quarterback battles and contract disputes stand.
Totally different groups report on totally different days, however listed below are a few of the prime storylines.
ALL ABOUT AARON
Aaron Rodgers is ready to ramp up his workload with the Pittsburgh Steelers, whom he signed with in early June following months of hypothesis about his future.
Rodgers joined the Steelers after they accomplished organized group actions (OTAs), and he didn’t take any reps throughout obligatory minicamp.
All of that set the stage for Wednesday, when Rodgers, 41, and his teammates are scheduled to report back to coaching camp.
“This was a decision that was best for my soul, and I felt like being here with coach [Mike Tomlin] and the guys they got here and the opportunity here was the best for me,” Rodgers stated final month of returning for a twenty first season. “I’m excited to be here.”
The Jets launched Rodgers in March after a disappointing two-year tenure, throughout which the four-time NFL MVP suffered a season-ending Achilles tear 4 snaps into his group debut in 2023, then went simply 5-12 final season.
Rodgers accomplished 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024.
MORE SHEDEUR
Shedeur Sanders didn’t take first-team snaps throughout OTAs or minicamp, but the high-profile rookie quarterback stays probably the most talked-about participant of the Cleveland Browns offseason.
That’s as a result of the sports activities world needs to see how Sanders, the assured son of Corridor of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, fares after falling to the fifth spherical of the NFL Draft in an unprecedented slide.
Sanders landed in an optimum scenario, contemplating Cleveland’s beginning quarterback job is up for grabs and that the opposite candidates are 40-year-old Joe Flacco, journeyman Kenny Pickett and third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel.
The Browns are scheduled to start camp on Thursday.
INDIANA JONES
The opposite foremost QB battle is in Indianapolis, the place former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is in a two-man battle for the beginning job.
The Colts signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract within the offseason to push third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has struggled with damage and inconsistency since being drafted No. 4 general.
A nagging shoulder difficulty prevented Richardson from partaking in minicamp, however he has stated he expects to be prepared for coaching camp.
Jones, in the meantime, seeks profession redemption after being launched by the Giants final November and spending many of the the rest of the season on the Minnesota Vikings’ apply squad.
The 28-year-old Jones went 24-44-1 in six seasons because the Giants starter, together with 2-8 final 12 months.
Colts veterans are set to report back to coaching camp on Tuesday.
CONTRACT CONUNDRUMS
What’s the NFL offseason and not using a few contract disputes?
Dallas’ Micah Parsons, Washington’s Terry McLaurin, Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson and Buffalo’s James Cook dinner are among the many stars searching for new offers.
Parsons, who might turn out to be the following move rusher to reset the place’s sturdy market, attended minicamp final month and was anticipated to report back to the Cowboys’ coaching camp in Oxnard, Calif., on Monday.
He’s recent off of his fourth consecutive season with no less than 12 sacks.
Cook dinner, too, participated in Payments minicamp this spring after the operating again totaled 18 touchdowns final season. Buffalo gamers weren’t scheduled to report back to coaching camp till Tuesday.
McLaurin, in the meantime, didn’t attend the Commanders’ offseason exercises and stated final week that he hadn’t determined about whether or not to carry out of coaching camp.
“I’ve been pretty frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” the vast receiver stated. “Everything that has transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I want to continue my career here.”
The Commanders report on Tuesday.
Additionally set to report on Tuesday are the Bengals’ veterans, nevertheless it’s unclear if Hendrickson might be amongst them.
Hendrickson led the NFL final season with 17.5 sacks — 3.5 greater than anybody else — however the Bengals prioritized extensions for receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason.
The 30-year-old Hendrickson has stated he gained’t play on his present deal, which has one 12 months remaining at $16 million.
Additionally hanging over Cincinnati is the standing of rookie defensive finish Shemar Stewart, this 12 months’s solely first-rounder who’s but to signal. Stewart didn’t report back to camp together with his fellow rookies over the weekend.
SAM THE MAN
This week presents one other have a look at Sam Darnold, the marquee quarterback to alter groups within the offseason.
Seattle signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract, hoping the one-time Jets draft decide can construct on a breakout 2024 season by which he handed for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns and led Minnesota to a 14-3 file.
The signing of Darnold headlined a busy offseason for the Seahawks, who overhauled their receiver group by buying and selling away DK Metcalf, releasing Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant, and signing Cooper Kupp.
Additionally of curiosity would be the coaching camp efficiency of J.J. McCarthy, who is ready to exchange Darnold because the Vikings’ beginning quarterback.
McCarthy, whom Minnesota drafted No. 10 general final 12 months, missed his rookie season attributable to a knee damage that required two surgical procedures.
OTHER RETURNEES
Past McCarthy, gamers all through the NFL are trying to come back again from season-ending accidents.
Amongst them is Dallas’ Dak Prescott, who missed the Cowboys’ ultimate 9 video games attributable to a hamstring damage.
Identical goes for San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, who appeared in solely 4 video games attributable to bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a PCL damage in his proper knee.
At totally different factors within the offseason, Prescott and McCaffrey each instructed they don’t have any limitations.
