Exploring NFL Offseason Training Camps: Insights Into Team Preparations

• NFL offseason training camps are set to open as early as July 18th
• The biggest training camp battle will be in San Francisco to determine the 49ers starting QB
• Keep reading for the biggest storylines to follow as teams get ready to open their training camps

Let’s face it, regardless of what’s going on in the sports world the NFL still dominates the news cycle. The season may only last five months, but the NFL does an incredible job of staying relevant all year around, stealing headlines from the other major sports leagues.

As the calendar shifts to July, NFL training camps are on everyone’s radar. Some teams open up their camps as early as July 18th, with everyone diving in by July 25th. There’s no shortage of NFL offseason storylines to catch up on, especially when it comes to new faces in new places, and key positional battles.

NFL Offseason Training Camps

No position in sports is more valuable than quarterback, so let’s start there. Three first round rookies are vying for starting jobs in 2023, led by number one pick Bryce Young.

The Heisman Trophy winner has impressed Panthers personnel from the moment he arrived in Carolina. Coaches and teammates rave about his talent, leadership and poise, and he appears to be a lock be QB1 for Frank Reich.

Number two pick CJ Stroud has also impressed in Houston, and heading into training camp reportedly has a leg up on last year’s starter Davis Mills for the number one role.

The news isn’t as encouraging for number four pick Anthony Richardson. The Colts new QB has arguably the highest ceiling of any of the three first round quarterbacks, but he’s the least polished product. Richardson made just 13 starts in college, and is reportedly behind Gardner Minshew at the moment for the QB1 role.

Anthony Richards College Stats

With Indianapolis in rebuild mode there’s no rush to get Richardson under center, and he would certainly benefit from some time on the bench.

Shifting gears to San Francisco, where the most compelling quarterback battle will take place. The Niners are a top-four Super Bowl odds contender, but unlike the other favorites don’t have a star QB to rely on.

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In a perfect world, Brock Purdy would return as the starter after going 5-0 in the regular season as a rookie, leading San Fran to the NFC Championship Game. But, Purdy tore the UCL in his right elbow in that contest, and he’s no lock to be ready for Week 1.

That leaves 2021 third overall pick Trey Lance, and former top-three pick Sam Darnold as insurance options. Lance was selected to be the team’s franchise quarterback, but has yet to prove he’s ready for the big stage.

The 23-year-old missed almost all of last season with an ankle injury, and there’s speculation that the Niners don’t view him as a long term option.

A year ago, Trey Lance ($41.46) had a stock price similar to Tua Tagovailoa ($41.82)

Today, Lance’s stock price ($17.69) is more similar to Kenny Pickett ($20.60) and Gardner Minshew ($14.55)

Here, Adam Schefter believes Lance is the QB3 on his OWN teampic.twitter.com/WUZalnlNU5

— Mojo Fantasy (@mojo) June 21, 2023

Which brings us to Sam Darnold. He produced the best QB rating of his career last season in Carolina, and is someone who could excel in the strict offensive scheme Kyle Shanahan deploys.

Shanahan QBs don’t have to master defensive schemes or worry about progressing through all of their reads. Instead, they can just focus on quick hitting throws to the Niners elite playmakers and let them do the rest. Darnold appears much more capable than Lance of accomplishing that.

New Faces in New Places

The biggest move of the offseason was four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers landing in New York. The Jets paid a heavy price to acquire Rodgers, and overpaid his friends Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb to join him.

Rodgers is thought to be the missing piece that could elevate New York to a title contender. The Jets had a top-five defense in 2022, and boast arguably the top-two offensive rookies from last season in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.

But there’s reasons to be down on this team. For starters, there are serious holes on the offensive line. The Jets finished 21st in pass block win rate last year, and will need to protect Rodgers if they expect to compete for a championship.

https://twitter.com/usctsm/status/1602033205221396480

Also working against Rodgers is the coaching in New York. Nathaniel Hackett will reportedly call plays as the OC, and we saw how poorly that worked out in his lone season in Denver. Yes, Hackett and Rodgers have worked together in the past, but it was Matt LaFleur, not Hackett, making the play calls.

Schedule makers also didn’t do the Jets any favors. In addition to playing a tough AFC East slate, they also have to face the Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys and Chargers.

Speaking of AFC East contenders, can Jalen Ramsey shore up the Dolphins defense to the point where they can compete for a Super Bowl? Miami traded for the star corner this offseason, hoping to improve on the Fins’ bottom-eight pass defense.

If Miami can make strides on that side of the ball look out. They already boast one of the most explosive offenses in football, and are a leading contender to sign four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook.

Finally, can Sean Payton fix Russell Wilson in Denver? Wilson was a disaster in his first year with the Broncos, but if anyone can set him straight it’s Payton. The offensive guru was paid an enormous sum to turn Denver around, and he simply won’t let Russ call the shots like he did in 2022.

Russell Wilson 2022 Stats

The Broncos defense is legit and there’s no shortage of skill position weapons to help Wilson succeed. Expect Payton to lead Denver back to respectability and have them challenge for a Wild Card berth.

While you’re waiting for the NFL regular season, be sure to check out the best daily odds boosts for other sports this offseason for all of your wagers this summer.