Neil Reynolds' Training Camp Storylines to watch

Training camps for the NFL are starting up all over the United States, signaling the comeback of football and a time where a sense of optimism is palpable from coast to coast.

I, along with the Sky Sports NFL team, am preparing to embark on a training camp tour. Our itinerary includes visits to the training camps of the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers.

Numerous stories will emerge from those specific teams, but headlines from across the league will rapidly increase over the forthcoming month. Here are some narratives to keep an eye on this summer.

QUARTERBACK BATTLES

It appears that the NFL doesn’t generate as many real quarterback training camp contests as it did in previous times. However, there will be a significant number of them in 2024. We’ll briefly discuss a few, beginning in New York.

The New York Giants are shelling out $40 million annually for Daniel Jones to serve as their quarterback. However, it doesn’t appear they are entirely confident in him being the right choice. Impressive performances in training camps from either Drew Lock or fan favorite Tommy DeVito could stir things up as the opening weekend approaches. While the position should be Jones’ to lose, there’s a possibility he could do exactly that.

An open contest is underway between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew in Las Vegas, where the winner will need to win over a doubtful fan base, as neither one is particularly exciting. In Minnesota, experienced player Sam Darnold is leading the race for the Minnesota Vikings’ position, but will J.J. McCarthy, a first-rounder, get his chance eventually? Over in Denver, rookie first-rounder Bo Nix aims to fend off Jarrett Stidham or former top-five pick Zach Wilson, who aspires to rejuvenate his career in the Rocky Mountains.

There are some interesting scenarios that veteran quarterbacks and their coaches will have to navigate. Kirk Cousins was recruited to Atlanta to spearhead a playoff run and is being generously compensated for his efforts ($180 million over four years). However, the Falcons also selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, which could potentially create an uncomfortable and dramatic setting for training camp. The situation in Pittsburgh raises the question: will it be Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, the former first-rounder from the Chicago Bears? Wilson seems to be the choice for now, but Fields is not interested in biding his time.

DRAMA IN DALLAS?

The NFL training camp season wouldn’t be complete without a glaring focus on America’s Team. However, it’s fair to say that the Dallas Cowboys are responsible for much of this attention. Owner Jerry Jones declared earlier this offseason that his team would be “all in” for roster building, following their humiliating home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers last year.

This situation hasn’t exactly unfolded as expected, consequently causing the pressure to rise not only on the management but also on head coach Mike McCarthy. To begin with, the three main stars of the team – quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and edge rusher Micah Parsons – are all seeking new contracts. This move is likely to place considerable pressure on the team’s finances and interpersonal relationships.

The other significant changes did not occur during the offseason, resulting in Dallas having players such as Jalen Tolbert, Brandin Cooks, and KaVontae Turpin alongside Lamb as receivers. Ezekiel Elliott, who was previously sidelined, is back in the backfield to share responsibilities with Rico Dowdle. It’s not exactly promising, and the Cowboys need a successful training camp as they prepare for the new season to recover from an underwhelming offseason.

WILL OTHER BIG STARS GET PAID?

Other high-profile athletes have uncertain contract statuses that will overshadow their individual training camps. Brandon Aiyuk, a consistent 1,000-yard receiver, has requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. However, it seems the team is not keen on letting Brock Purdy’s preferred receiver go. I predict that a deal will be reached between Aiyuk and the team during training camp. If it were up to me, I would choose to retain Aiyuk over Deebo Samuel for that position.

Next we look at the situation of Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. Tua is up next for a hefty paycheck among NFL quarterbacks, but the Dolphins have permitted him to proceed into the final year of his rookie contract for a reason. They still harbor some doubts, especially concerning the prospect of paying Tua the current rate exceeding $55 million per season.

Over the past few years, Tua has generated impressive regular season statistics. However, his performance and that of his team have not been as stellar in major games and playoff matches. This puts the Dolphins in a tricky position. They likely want to retain Tua, yet they’re hesitant to instantly make him the highest-paid player in NFL history simply because it’s his turn. Stay tuned for updates.

RUNNING BACKS IN NEW PLACES

Assessing the performance of running backs during training camp is nearly impossible, given the minimal ground tackling, particularly with star players. Nevertheless, I anticipate a significant amount of interest revolving around three well-known players in new locations.

Saquon Barkley has transitioned from the New York Giants to the Philadelphia Eagles, while former NFL rushing champion, Josh Jacobs, has transferred from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Green Bay Packers. Additionally, Derrick Henry, who previously wreaked havoc on the Baltimore Ravens while playing for the Tennessee Titans, has now joined the Ravens.

All three are expected to make an impact, but I’m particularly intrigued to see how well Henry will perform in Baltimore. It seems like a perfect match that could potentially take the Ravens to the Super Bowl. As for Barkley, he’s likely to do exceptionally well in Philly. We’ll just have to hold off until the regular season starts to witness it.

JIM HARBAUGH RETURNS

A decade has passed since the unconventional, resilient and skilled Jim Harbaugh took on the role of an NFL coach. Now, his comeback with the Los Angeles Chargers is expected to spotlight a team that underperformed in 2023.

What type of team can we expect from Harbaugh? What are the prospects of Justin Herbert’s development under a head coach who was once an NFL quarterback? In light of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams leaving during the offseason, who will be on the receiving end of Herbert’s throws?

We hope that all these questions and more will be asked and answered over the summer, making the Chargers one of the league’s most interesting teams to follow.

RODGERS RUNS NEW YORK… TAKE TWO!

Last summer, I found myself in New York where the electrifying atmosphere at Jets camp was unmistakable. This exhilaration was all due to Aaron Rodgers’ arrival. However, his presence was short-lived as he only managed to play four plays into the season opener before suffering an Achilles snap that kept him off the field for the rest of the season.

The injury greatly impacted Rodgers, the Jets, and truthfully, the whole NFL universe. It placed immense pressure on the Jets but they admirably managed to not fall apart, maintaining unity and miraculously winning seven games. Now, Rodgers is in New York for his second act. Surrounded by one of the league’s top teams, the future Hall of Famer will face immense pressure to perform. Failure to do so could put jobs at risk, starting with head coach Robert Saleh.

The Jets are uncertain about the performance of their quarterback who missed some offseason training this year and is recovering from a significant injury at 40. However, it’s important to remember that Rodgers is among the greatest players in the history of the game. If he can perform anywhere near his peak, the Jets are on their way to the playoffs, and from there, anything is possible.

Thus, the stakes are high and the ensuing weeks will involve a thorough examination of every Aaron Rodgers snap, dropback, throw, and press conference under the severe media glare of New York. This promises to be a typical NFL summer drama, and I’m all set to relish every bit of it!

BRING ON THE SAVIOURS

Every NFL season, rookie quarterbacks enter the league, and those chosen in the first round typically find themselves in the immediate spotlight of the media, scrutinized for every move they make both on and off the field. However, the 2024 season is shaping up to be even more intense. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye are not merely entering the NFL as first-year players. They are also carrying the weight of expected to be the redeemers of their respective franchises.

Chicago Bears fans are thrilled about Williams, as he aims to work dynamically with receivers like D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen. Should the 2024 NFL Draft’s first pick meet expectations, the Bears could potentially be a playoff team in 2024. However, the pressure on their young passer will be considerable.

Since 2000, the Washington Commanders have tried out 27 different quarterbacks, none of whom have managed to secure a championship. This is a significant turnover for a team that was established in 1932 and has seen 70 quarterbacks take the helm. The hope now is that Daniels will bring the much-needed stability in the coming years.

Maye will face similar expectations with the New England Patriots, although Jacoby Brissett might take the lead early in the season as the rookie is gradually introduced. A fresh era has begun in Foxboro, and Maye could reap advantages from not being the successor of the predecessor. That role belonged to Mac Jones who has now departed and is serving as a backup to Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville.

SPECIAL TEAMS TRIALS

The NFL is set to reveal its innovative kick-off rules in 2024, with training camp serving as the opportunity for teams to fine-tune and determine what does and doesn’t work. I had extensive discussions with Heath Farwell, Jacksonville Jaguars’ special teams coordinator, earlier this summer. It became evident that the league as a whole is uncertain about the potential outcomes, despite the significant amount of work already invested.

Don’t anticipate teams showing off too much during actual preseason games as the footage can be shared. They will probably try out new strategies during practice sessions where filming or revealing specific tactics is not permitted for those present. This will also hold true for joint team workouts. Most of the tweaking of kick-off rules will occur in these settings.

Should a team discover a significant advantage, they will undoubtedly keep it confidential until the regular season commences. The alteration in rules and teams’ response to it might be one of the major stories of the forthcoming season, though it might not be as prominent during the training camp.