NFL training camp storylines to watch: Browns, Colts QB competitions, rookie debuts and more

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NFL training camps.

The offseason of the league whose action never TRULY stops has officially ended, and now the NFL kicks back into high gear. By week’s end, all 32 of pro football’s teams will have opened training camp and begun laying the foundation for the coming regular season.

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While the Los Angeles Chargers opened camp last week, the Detroit Lions kicked off Sunday and a handful of teams required early report dates for their rookies, the majority of teams will hit the field this week.

Here are 10 of the most compelling storylines to follow across the league.

1. QB competitions

Several teams enter training camp with their starting quarterback job unresolved. The Cleveland Browns seemingly have the most wide-open competition, featuring 40-year-old former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, 27-year-old journeyman Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. It would seem that Flacco, who two years ago helped lead Cleveland to the playoffs, has the edge. But Pickett does have 30 games (25 starts) under his belt from his two seasons in Pittsburgh and five cameos in Philadelphia. Gabriel (third-rounder) and Sanders (fifth-rounder) each hope to pull off upsets, however. …

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts may wind up deciding between 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson or New York Giants castoff Daniel Jones, IF Richardson (who missed the offseason practice slate with a shoulder injury) can stay healthy. … In New Orleans, Derek Carr’s surprise retirement leaves the Saints with no clear-cut solution. Second-year pro Spencer Rattler, third-year vet Jake Haener and rookie Tyler Shough will duke it out. … And in Nashville, the Titans used the No. 1 pick on Miami’s Cam Ward, however, coach Brian Callahan has said that third-year pro Will Levis remains in the mix for the starting job. (Update: That’s no longer the case after Monday’s news that Levis will have season-ending shoulder surgery.)

2. Rookie head coaches

Five first-time head coaches hope to lay the foundation for strong initial seasons. In Chicago, highly touted offensive mind Ben Johnson will try to position 2024 top pick Caleb Williams to grow into the generational talent that draft analysts pegged him as. Last season, Williams completed just 62.5 percent of his passes (31st in the league) and posted a passer rating of 87.8 for the 5-12 Bears. But organizational dysfunction and offensive line limitations hampered his progress. Will things change with a new boss calling the shots? …

In New York, the Jets hope that former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn can instill some long-needed stability while helping a promising defense live up to its potential. Hitting the reset button at quarterback once again, the Jets need Justin Fields to build on the promise that he showed in six starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. … After six seasons as an offensive coordinator (Cowboys, Chargers, Eagles), Kellen Moore finally gets his shot as a head coach with the New Orleans Saints. In addition to sorting out the quarterback position, the former quarterback must figure out how to overcome the limitations of a salary-cap-strapped roster that features both aging stars and young, developmental players. …

In Jacksonville, Liam Coen is running the show after a rapid rise through the ranks and stellar 2024 campaign as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. Coen must help Trevor Lawrence finally live up to expectations to give the Jaguars their best shot at overtaking Houston in the AFC South. … The coach under the most pressure just might be Dallas Cowboys’ first-timer Brian Schottenheimer. He has inherited a roster that owner Jerry Jones believes (as always) is built to contend. Yet, the team has posted only four playoff victories since 2000. Will a healthy Dak Prescott, the addition of wide receiver George Pickens and a new defensive coordinator (Matt Eberflus) help the Cowboys finally make a run?

3. Aaron Rodgers’ last stand

Feeling the pressure associated with an eight-year playoff victory drought, the Pittsburgh Steelers embarked on an unconventional offseason by their standards. The highlights include trades for DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith and the luring of Aaron Rodgers to the Steel City. Now, it’s time for Mike Tomlin and his assistants to get to work and figure out how to ensure that all of these new puzzle pieces fit.

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Rodgers didn’t take any reps during mandatory minicamp because Tomlin wanted him to just focus on observing and learning the offense. Rodgers couldn’t save the Jets from dysfunction, but the Steelers are hoping that joining forces with a storied and stabled franchise (not dissimilar from the Green Bay Packers) can help the aging star maximize his remaining physical gifts and capitalize on his extensive knowledge of the game. Perhaps the most instrumental figure in all of this is offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who has spent the offseason blending a conservative, run-heavy offensive playbook with a passing attack of Rodgers’ liking. Training camp represents a crucial window for the quarterback and assistant coach to get on the same page.

4. More familiar faces in new places

After a year off, Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll returns to the sidelines. He’s charged with turning around a Las Vegas Raiders team that has had five head coaches in the last decade and has reached the playoffs only twice in that span. Helping spearhead the reclamation efforts is quarterback Geno Smith, whom the Raiders acquired from Carroll’s former team, hoping the savvy veteran can provide a stabilizing force similar to the way he did in Seattle after the Russell Wilson era concluded. …

Speaking of Seattle, the Seahawks have turned to Sam Darnold, signing him to a three-year, $100.5 million contract following his impressive resurrection season with the Minnesota Vikings last season. … In New England, Patriots owner Robert Kraft reached into the franchise’s past by hiring Mike Vrabel to turn things around after the failed Jerod Mayo experiment. Vrabel lured Josh McDaniels back for a third offensive coordinating stint with the franchise, hoping he can help young Drake Maye blossom into the next great quarterback of the franchise. To help Maye’s efforts, the Patriots also brought in four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs. …

A little ways down the road, the New York Giants are starting over at quarterback, tabbing Wilson and Jameis Winston to serve as the bridge/mentors to Jaxson Dart, whom they drafted in the first round out of Ole Miss. … Other high-profile players who changed teams this offseason include six-time Pro Bowl wideout Davante Adams, who signed with the Rams, pass rusher Joey Bosa, who joined the Buffalo Bills, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who signed with Baltimore.

5. Can Eagles defend their Super Bowl win?

Two years after coming up short in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles delivered a dominant performance against those same Chiefs and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Now, they get back to work after an offseason that featured continuity and change. Coach Nick Sirianni, running back Saquon Barkley, center Cam Jurgens and linebacker Zack Baun ranked among the key figures who received contract extensions this offseason. However, long-time defensive tone-setter Brandon Graham retired, cornerback Darius Slay was released and signed with Pittsburgh, defensive tackle Milton Williams signed with the Patriots, and pass rusher Josh Sweat left for the Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles also lost their offensive coordinator (Moore) to the Saints. While returning players report for duty aiming for continued growth and evolution, camp will represent continued acclimation for new players AND yet another offensive play caller for quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Jalen Hurts, left, and Nick Sirianni will attempt to defend their title after an offseason with a decent amount of change, including a new offensive play caller. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

6. Chiefs’ response

Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs had a shot at history as they tried to become the first team of the Super Bowl era to three-peat. But offensive line struggles hampered Kansas City against Philadelphia in February. GM Brett Veach worked to upgrade the line this offseason, signing offensive tackle Jaylon Moore away from the San Francisco 49ers and drafting tackle Josh Simmons out of Ohio State. The Chiefs also used the draft to improve the depth of their defensive front and pass-catching departments, and they’re banking on the healthy returns of wide receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown to help restore explosiveness to their offense. With Mahomes, Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo leading the way, it feels like the Chiefs always have a chance. But will they quickly rebound to resume their dynasty run or will this rebound take time?

7. Contract holdouts

The NFL offseason came and went with several matters of business still unresolved. Several high-profile players remain at odds with their teams over their contracts. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks in 2024, wants out in Cincinnati after the Bengals refused to come up with a fitting contract extension, but thus far, the team hasn’t budged. The Bengals’ top rookie, pass rusher Shemar Stewart, also remains in a dispute with his new team after receiving a contract offer that didn’t carry the usual guarantees first-round picks generally receive. In Washington, wide receiver Terry McLaurin remains in search of an extension after a fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign and his second Pro Bowl nod. In Dallas, linebacker Micah Parsons did report to mandatory minicamp, but continues to wait for a new deal. Which of these players will hold out rather than report to camp? Who among them will opt for “hold-ins” and report to camp, but refuse to practice until they agree to new deals?

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8. Comeback quests

Training camp represents hope for a number of teams because of the healthy returns of some highly impactful players. In Dallas, quarterback Dak Prescott is ready to go. Hamstring surgery forced him out of nine games last season, but the 10th-year veteran said he doesn’t expect to practice with any limitations. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions welcome back defensive end Aidan Hutchinson after a 2024 season ruined by a broken tibia and fibula. NFC North rival Minnesota saw second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy navigate the offseason program without a setback as he returns from a torn meniscus that required surgery on his right knee and caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. …

The 49ers will have running back Christian McCaffrey on the field after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. One of the Niners’ most versatile and dynamic weapons, McCaffrey had no restrictions during offseason practices following the Achilles tendon and PCL injuries that cost him 13 games last season. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome back talented wide receiver Chris Godwin after his Week 7 ankle dislocation. The Buccaneers have said they hope to have Godwin back by the start of the season, so training camp will offer a more precise look at his recovery process.

9. Second-year quarterbacks

Last season’s heavily touted class of quarterbacks experienced varying degrees of success in 2024, and now with a full season under their belts, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix aim to continue their climb through the ranks. (As mentioned, McCarthy — the fifth quarterback taken in the first round — will make his NFL debut after missing his rookie year with injury). Williams certainly proved himself capable of performing under pressure and shouldering a heavy workload last season. But he probably had too much on his plate and at times tried too hard to make something out of nothing. Now teamed with Ben Johnson, Williams must find better balance and sharpen his decision-making.

Daniels, meanwhile, outshone every quarterback in his class and took Washington to its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season. Daniels must continue to evolve to remain a step ahead of the defensive coordinators who spent the offseason dissecting his game. He and the Commanders will not sneak up on anyone this year. Maye finds himself starting over with a new offensive coordinator and head coach (see above), but will try to build on a rookie season that taught him valuable lessons.

Nix, like Daniels, exceeded expectations as a rookie while helping Denver end a nine-year playoff drought. Nix enters Year 2 intent on playing faster and with greater freedom to focus more on pinpointing areas to attack defenses and avoid mistakes. Penix, meanwhile, enters his first full season as a starter after taking over for Kirk Cousins with three games left in the 2024 campaign. Penix flashed his potential during that abbreviated run, but the Falcons are expecting him to take a significant leap forward and help them end the Buccaneers’ run of four straight NFC South titles.

10. Rookie debuts

For the newest members of NFL rosters, training camp doubles as the classroom and proving ground. Rookies find themselves in the process of strengthening their grasp of the playbooks they began learning back in the spring, and they’re working to hold their own against veterans while trying to convince their coaches and team talent evaluators that they deserve meaningful roles despite their youth. Leading this rookie class is quarterback Cam Ward, whom the Titans drafted No. 1 in hopes that he can help lead them back to prominence in the AFC. Despite going with the first pick, Ward flew under the radar leading up to the draft thanks largely to the hype surrounding Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, Hunter will hit the field in hopes of becoming the NFL’s first full-time two-way player in generations. He already delivered some impressive plays on both sides of the ball during OTAs, and his development process should continue to offer plenty of intrigue. Other promising rookies to keep an eye on include No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, whom the Giants view as a game-changing pass-rusher, No. 6 pick Ashton Jeanty, a running back out of Boise State who should help ignite the Raiders’ offense, and No. 11 pick Mykel Williams, whom the 49ers are counting on to help bolster their pass rush along with veteran Nick Bosa.

(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Sue Ogrocki, Michael Conroy / Associated Press; Michael Reaves, Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

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