With NFL training camps fully getting underway next week, here are ten NFL training camp storylines to watch.
NFL Training Camp Storylines to Watch
10. The New WR Duo in Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys traded for former Steelers playmaker George Pickens to pair him up with CeeDee Lamb in the Big D. Pickens and Lamb form a talented duo that could instantly pay off for the Cowboys. Lamb will remain the top receiver on the team, but teams won’t be able to focus on Lamb without Pickens eventually making them pay and vice versa.
9. Christian McCaffrey health watch in SF
After a record-setting 2023 season, San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back had an injury-riddled 2024 season. He only played in four games, and the 49ers’ offense felt in his absence. The team finished with a 6-11 record and is primed for a bounce-back in 2025. It won’t happen if McCaffrey isn’t back to himself, so keeping an eye on McCaffrey’s health during training camp is something to watch.
8. Travis Hunter Training Camp Reps
A close eye will be on Travis Hunter’s training camp reps in Jacksonville. The two-way Heisman trophy winner will attempt to make history in the NFL, being one of the first players to play both ways in the modern NFL. However, during the offseason, Hunter took most of his reps on the offensive side and worked his way in sparingly on the defensive side.
During the offseason, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has hinted at Hunter being primarily on offense. Still, it will be interesting to see how Hunter goes through an NFL training camp playing on both sides of the ball.
7. Bengals Contract Disputes
The Cincinnati Bengals have been the talk of the offseason in terms of contract disputes. They have been clashing with their Pro Bowl defensive end, Trey Hendrickson, who is looking for an extension, and are in the midst of a standoff with their own 2025 first-round pick, Shemar Stewart. It is critical for the Bengals to come to a solution with these players because they will need all hands on deck if they want to return to the postseason in the middle of a current two-year drought.
6. Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones Colts QB battle
The quarterback battle for the Indianapolis Colts is one of the biggest training camp battles of any team in the NFL. Richardson, who is in his third year in the NFL after being drafted fourth overall in 2023, will have to earn the starting job after producing underwhelming results in his first two seasons with the team.
Richardson is ultra-talented but has struggled to stay healthy, and even when healthy, his play has been uneven on the field. The Colts signed Jones to a one-year $14 million deal, which signals they will give him every opportunity he can to take the starting job from Richardson. Last season, Jones was cut by the New York Giants and finished the season as a backup in Minnesota.
5. J.J. McCarthy‘s handle on the Vikings Starting QB Job
After missing his whole rookie season in 2024 due to a knee injury, McCarthy got to sit back and watch a magical season from quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold revived his career by playing at an MVP level in the Minnesota Vikings offense, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 record. Instead of signing Cousins to an extension, the Vikings chose to go with the quarterback they drafted in the first round in 2024, which will put a lot of pressure on McCarthy.
4. The Kansas City Chiefs bounce back
After taking a beating in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs will start this training camp with a familiar feeling they had after the 2020 season. Will the Chiefs pick themselves up off the mat, or will the wear and tear of extended postseason runs the last four years wear on the AFC runner-ups?
There has been talk about Travis Kelce‘s retirement and the Chiefs wanting to get back to the light work show of old, that they were in Mahomes’ first couple of seasons. Can the Chiefs keep their hold on the AFC?
3. Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson Chemistry in Chicago
The 2024 number one overall pick, Caleb Williams, was coming off of one of the toughest seasons of his football life. As a rookie for the Chicago Bears last season, Williams and the Bears finished with a 5-12 record. He was sacked 68 times, his offensive coordinator was fired midseason, and his head coach was fired midseason. Year one in Chicago was nothing short of a disaster; however, brighter days might be ahead in Chicago as the Bears paired Williams up with highly sought-after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Johnson, who orchestrated the best offenses in the league while in Detroit, will be tasked with getting the Bears back on track. So, during training camp, watching how Williams and Johnson mesh will be key to seeing how the top pick bounces back.
2. Aaron Rodgers and His Addition To Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers will play what is likely his last season in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin. After missing essentially all of the offseason programs, eyes will be on Rodgers and how the offense looks in Pittsburgh, with him running the show. After two down years with the Jets, Rodgers is looking to bounce back with the Steelers.
Even though he didn’t report to team activities, Rodgers did work out with offseason acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf as both will be building their chemistry during training camp this year.
1. Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns QB battle
The Browns currently have four quarterbacks on their depth chart, all battling for the starting spot. They signed Joe Flacco in the offseason and traded for Kenny Pickett, then during the 2025 draft, they drafted both Dillion Gabriel and Sanders. Most teams don’t carry more than three quarterbacks on their active roster, so it’s going to be interesting to see who performs well at training camp for the Browns.
Could Sanders be the odd man out? It is possible.
Main Image: © Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
