Neil Reynolds' Training Camp Storylines to watch

Football is making a comeback as NFL training camps open nationwide in the United States, ushering in a period filled with the scent of hope that floats in the air from coast to coast.

The Sky Sports NFL team and I are gearing up for a training camp tour. Our itinerary includes visits to 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 the next month or so will see a rapid influx of headlines from across the league. Here’s a list of storylines to keep an eye on this summer.

QUARTERBACK BATTLES

The NFL appears to have fewer authentic quarterback training camp competitions compared to the past. However, there will be a significant number in 2024. Let’s briefly discuss some of them, beginning with the Big Apple.

The New York Giants are shelling out $40 million annually to Daniel Jones to serve as their quarterback. Yet, they appear to be unsure if he is the right fit for them. Impressive performances in the training camps by Drew Lock or fan favorite Tommy DeVito could potentially shake things up as the opening weekend approaches. Although it seems like the position should be Jones’ to forfeit, there’s a chance he might indeed lose it.

In Las Vegas, a contest is underway between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. The victor will need to impress a doubtful fan base, as neither candidate is particularly electrifying. Over in Minnesota, seasoned player Sam Darnold is favored for the Minnesota Vikings’ position, but it’s probable that first-rounder J.J. McCarthy will be considered at some point. Meanwhile, in Denver, newcomer first-rounder Bo Nix aims to maintain his position against Jarrett Stidham and former top-five pick Zach Wilson, who is seeking to rejuvenate his career in the Rocky Mountains.

There are some interesting scenarios that veteran quarterbacks and their coaches will have to maneuver. Atlanta has brought in Kirk Cousins to spearhead a playoff run and he is being well-compensated for it ($180 million over four years). However, the Falcons also picked Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, creating a potentially uncomfortable and dramatic atmosphere for the training camp. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, it’s a toss-up between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the former first-rounder from Chicago Bears. As of now, it seems like Wilson is the go-to, but Fields has no intention of waiting on the sidelines.

DRAMA IN DALLAS?

NFL training camp season wouldn’t feel complete without the intense focus on America’s Team. However, it must be said that the Dallas Cowboys often attract this attention. Earlier in the offseason, Jerry Jones, the team’s owner, declared that they would be “all in” for roster building, following their humiliating home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers last year.

Things have not quite gone as expected, placing increasing pressure not only on the management but also on head coach Mike McCarthy. The team’s three main stars – quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and edge rusher Micah Parsons – are all seeking new contracts, which will significantly strain the team’s finances and relationships.

Despite the anticipation, significant moves did not transpire during the offseason, leaving Dallas with Jalen Tolbert, Brandin Cooks, and KaVontae Turpin, along with Lamb, as receivers. In the backfield, Ezekiel Elliott, who was previously sidelined, returns to share responsibilities with Rico Dowdle. It’s not exactly an inspiring setup and the Cowboys need a productive training camp to offset a rather disappointing offseason as they move into the new season.

WILL OTHER BIG STARS GET PAID?

Big-name players with uncertain contract situations are likely to overshadow their respective training camps. Brandon Aiyuk, a regular 1,000-yard receiver, is demanding a trade away from the San Francisco 49ers. However, I don’t believe the team is keen on letting go of Brock Purdy’s favorite target. I suspect a deal will be reached between Aiyuk and the team during training camp. Personally, I would prefer retaining Aiyuk over Deebo Samuel for that position.

Consider the situation with Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. Tua is the next NFL quarterback in line for a major payday, but the Dolphins have put him into the fifth and last year of his rookie contract. This decision stems from some uncertainty, especially with the prospect of having to pay Tua the current market rate exceeding $55 million per season.

Over the past few years, Tua has delivered impressive regular season statistics. However, his performance and that of his team have faltered in significant games and playoff matches. The Dolphins now find themselves in a tricky situation. They likely want to retain Tua but are hesitant to automatically grant him the title of the highest-paid player in NFL history simply because it’s his turn. Keep an eye on this situation.

RUNNING BACKS IN NEW PLACES

Gauging the effectiveness of running backs during training camp is incredibly difficult due to the limited amount of tackling, particularly with well-known stars. Nevertheless, I anticipate that there will be considerable interest around three familiar faces in new environments.

Saquon Barkley has transitioned from the New York Giants to the Philadelphia Eagles, while ex-NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs has relocated from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Green Bay Packers. Additionally, Derrick Henry, who previously terrorised the Baltimore Ravens as a Tennessee Titan, is now playing for the Ravens.

All three are set to make a significant impact, but I’m particularly intrigued to see the extent of Henry’s dominance in Baltimore. It seems like a perfect match that could potentially catapult the Ravens to the Super Bowl. Additionally, Barkley’s performance in Philly is expected to be extraordinary… we’ll just need to hold off until the regular season starts to fully witness it.

JIM HARBAUGH RETURNS

A decade has passed since the eccentric, resilient, and skilled Jim Harbaugh served as a coach in the NFL. His comeback with the Los Angeles Chargers is set to cast a spotlight on a team that fell short of expectations in 2023.

What type of team can we expect from Harbaugh? How much development can Justin Herbert expect under a head coach who was formerly an NFL quarterback? Following the offseason exits of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, who will be on the receiving end of Herbert’s throws?

We hope that all those questions and more will be asked and answered over the summer. The Chargers are set to become one of the league’s most intriguing teams to follow.

RODGERS RUNS NEW YORK… TAKE TWO!

Last summer, I experienced the electrifying excitement at the Jets camp in New York, all thanks to the arrival of Aaron Rodgers. However, his season prematurely ended after just four plays in the opener when he ruptured his Achilles tendon and was benched for the rest of the season.

Rodgers’ injury sent shockwaves through not only him and the Jets, but the entire NFL world as well. The Jets faced immense pressure in the aftermath, but managed to hold it together and secure seven victories. Now, Rodgers is in New York for the second act. Surrounded by one of the league’s top rosters, the future Hall of Famer is expected to perform under pressure. Failure to do so could potentially jeopardize jobs, starting with the head coach Robert Saleh.

The Jets are uncertain about the performance of their quarterback who missed part of this year’s offseason work and is returning from a major injury at 40. However, it’s crucial to remember that Rodgers is among the finest players in the history of the game – if he can perform even close to his top level, the Jets could be headed for the playoffs, and the possibilities beyond that are anyone’s guess.

Therefore, the pressure is intense and the ensuing weeks will entail close observation of every move Aaron Rodgers makes, every dropback, throw, and press conference, under the glaring media attention of New York. This will be a quintessential NFL summer spectacle and I’m all in for it!

BRING ON THE SAVIOURS

Every season, rookie quarterbacks join the NFL where those picked in the first round usually find themselves under the media’s microscope, scrutinized for their every move both on and off the field. However, the 2024 season promises to turn the heat up a notch. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye aren’t just joining the NFL as rookies, they are stepping in with the burden of being their respective franchises’ potential saviours.

Chicago Bears fans are thrilled with Williams’ potential to form an explosive partnership with receivers like D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen. If the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft meets expectations, the Bears could genuinely contend for a playoff spot in 2024. However, the pressure on their young passer will be immense.

Since 2000, 27 different players have started as quarterback for the Washington Commanders, yet none have demonstrated the ability to secure a championship victory. This is a significant fluctuation for the position, especially considering that the team, established in 1932, has had 70 starting quarterbacks in its history. It is hoped that Daniels will bring some much-needed stability to the position in the coming years.

Maye will also face similar expectations with the New England Patriots, although there’s a possibility of Jacoby Brissett starting the season while the rookie is gradually integrated. This new era in Foxboro could work in Maye’s favor as he isn’t directly replacing the previous quarterback. That was Mac Jones’ role, who has now moved on to be Trevor Lawrence’s backup in Jacksonville.

SPECIAL TEAMS TRIALS

In 2024, the NFL is set to introduce its innovative kick-off rules, with teams using training camps to iron out issues and identify effective strategies. Earlier this summer, I had extensive discussions with Heath Farwell, the special teams coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It became evident that despite a significant amount of preparatory work, the entire league is still uncertain about the outcome of these new rules.

Expect teams to refrain from elaborate strategies during actual preseason games as game footage will likely be shared. They will probably test new tactics during practice sessions, where filming and revealing specific tactical details are not allowed for those present. This approach will be consistent during joint team workouts, where most of the experimentation with kick-off rules is expected to take place.

Should a team discover a significant advantage, they will undoubtedly keep it secret until the regular season begins. The modification of this rule and how teams respond could become a major talking point of the forthcoming season, although it may not be as prominent during the training camp.