NFL training camp kicked off this week, and for football fans, it is like January 1 because the possibilities are endless for the 32 franchises around the league. Training camp is an important part of the process for new coaches to establish their systems, and nine teams this season will have new regimes. Also, it is critical to integrate rookie players, new signings and determine who makes the team that will line up on Sundays in the fall. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 questions around the league during training camp.
5. How does the Chargers’ new-look defense fit together?
The Chargers lost to the Raiders in a winner take all last game of the season and missed the playoffs. Part of the Chargers’ problem was on the defensive side because the unit ranked 23rd in yards allowed and tied for third worst for points allowed with the Falcons in the league. The Chargers addressed this need in the off-season by adding talent at all three levels of the defense. The team acquired an elite pass rusher in Khalil Mack, Austin Johnson, and Sebastian Joseph-Day on the interior, Troy Reeder at linebacker, and J.C. Jackson and Bryce Callahan in the secondary. If this unit can click and improve on that side of the ball, then the Chargers could become contenders with Justin Herbert at the helm.
4. Who will step up as the number 1 wideout for the Chiefs and Packers?
The Chiefs and Packers head into this season after losing in the playoffs. In the off-season, the teams lost their number one receivers in Tyreke Hill and Devante Adams. Patrick Maholmes had a special connection with Tyreke 418 receptions, 6,037 yards, 50 TD, and a 67% catch rate in 5 seasons in Kansas City. Will Maholmes be able to adapt to losing ‘the cheetah’ and be replaced by Mecole Hardman or the signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency? A good training camp could catapult one of these players to the number one slot. Aaron Rodgers had a dynamic wide receiver in Devante Adams, and the connection almost seemed telepathic in the plays they made. The Packers failed to address the need by signing a big-name wide receiver. Instead, the team signed veteran Sammy Watkins and still has the highly underrated Allen Lazard. They also drafted pass-catchers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs during the draft. However, it remains to be seen whether any of these receivers will be able to fill the void that Adams will leave.
3. Will Tua be able to take the next step under Mike McDaniels?
There are rumors in NFL circles that the Dolphins had plans to sign Sean Peyton as head coach and have Tom Brady as their quarterback before Brian Flores filed a class action lawsuit against the franchise. The tandem ultimately did not make their way to South Beach but it does show that the Dolphins are not certain that Tua is their franchise quarterback. The stats bear that out with a 66% completion rate, 4,467 yards, 27 TD, and 15 INT in two seasons. The team buffered the weapons available to Tua by adding Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson to rookie standout Jaylen Waddle. During training camp, the pressure is on Tua to hit the ground running under new coach Mike McDaniels. At this point, McDaniels is behind Tua as his quarterback but time will tell whether the Alabama product will thrive in this new system.
2. Will Jimmy Garoppolo be traded?
The 49ers will have a lot of eyeballs on them during training camp because Jimmy Garoppolo remains on the squad. The franchise has made it clear that they will make Trey Lance their new starter. Garoppolo had off-season shoulder surgery, and his massive contract has made him a hard asset to move. At age 30, Jimmy will count $26.95 million against the cap, and a team acquiring him will be on the hook for $24.2 million of that. Jimmy’s camp is willing to discuss a renegotiated contract, and the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants are the most likely destination. However, there is a chance that the team at number one on our list will try to acquire Jimmy due to the uncertainty of their quarterback situation.
1. How will the Browns’ quarterback situation play out?
The Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL world when they acquired DeShaun Watson for five draft picks including three first-round picks. It was shocking because of the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback’s availability for the foreseeable future. At the time, the quarterback was facing 24 civil lawsuits from former masseuses. However, since then, 20 of those cases have been settled which leaves only four. Heading into the training camp, there is still uncertainty on whether the player will play this season, and there are rumors the league is pushing for a season-long suspension. Sue Robinson, who is responsible for making a ruling for the NFL is expected to decide at some point during the early stages of the Browns’ training camp. It is a difficult scenario for the team with Jacoby Brissett being their backup starter and why Jimmy Garoppolo might be a good Plan C. The Browns’ management and the NFL world will be paying close attention to how this situation plays out in training camp.