NFL training camp 2026 storylines include Seahawks title defense, new coaches and QB battles
The Athletic has live coverage of NFL training camp.
At long last, training camp season has arrived.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers kicked off the action last week because they’ll face each other in the Hall of Fame Game. Meanwhile, the remaining 30 teams will have all opened camp by the middle of this week. Day by day, week by week, the march towards the regular season will unfold at a rapid pace.
From head coaching debuts to new arrivals, to comeback quests, position battles and more, the storylines abound across the league. Here are 10 to follow as training camps get underway.
Seahawks title defense
Thirteen years ago, the Seattle Seahawks followed up the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history with a march that saw them return to the big game only to fall painfully shy of a repeat victory. Champs again, the Seahawks embark on a journey they hope will result in another Super Bowl run.
Repeats are rare. Only eight teams have achieved such a feat. To give themselves a chance, Mike Macdonald and his team have several challenges to overcome. Gone is offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. In his place: first-year play caller Brian Fleury (previously the San Francisco 49ers’ tight ends coach). Also departed: key veterans such as Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III (Kansas City Chiefs), cornerback Riq Woolen (Philadelphia Eagles), pass rusher Boye Mafe (Cincinnati Bengals), safety Coby Bryant (Chicago Bears). This week, the Seahawks will continue the work of filling the shoes left behind.
Sky-high SoFi expectations
Five seasons ago, the Los Angeles Rams became only the second team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium. This February, the Rams hope to repeat that accomplishment as SoFi Stadium again hosts the Super Bowl. Rams general manager Les Snead had a busy offseason, trading for the NFL’s single-season sack leader, Myles Garrett. That blockbuster move came after Snead traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and further overhauled his secondary by signing cornerback Jaylen Watson, who, like McDuffie, helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls.
Coach Sean McVay already has a potent offense led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua and running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Now, they figure to have one of the more dominant defenses in the league. The Rams will work to put it all together, and as they do, eyes remain peeled for Aaron Donald, who reportedly is considering coming out of retirement to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy.
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Coaching debuts
This offseason saw 10 teams hire new head coaches. Those coaches — Mike LaFleur (Cardinals), Kevin Stefanski (Atlanta Falcons), Jesse Minter (Baltimore Ravens), Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills), Todd Monken (Cleveland Browns), Klint Kubiak (Las Vegas Raiders), Jeff Hafley (Miami Dolphins), John Harbaugh (New York Giants), Mike McCarthy (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Robert Saleh (Tennessee Titans) — all got to work in the offseason while directing voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamps. But now, they really will dive into building, developing and assessing talent and preparing their teams for the opening of the season, which looms just five weeks away.
Familiar faces in new places
The offseason featured plenty of comings and goings, and OTAs and minicamps served as an introductory period for some of the biggest names that changed addresses. But now it gets real as the highly coveted stars begin making their presence felt around their new teammates. Some prominent stars found themselves on the move, and they bring to their new teams unique skill sets and lofty expectations.
With the New England Patriots, wide receiver A.J. Brown hopes a fresh start and reunion with Mike Vrabel translate into more bountiful playmaking opportunities than he received in Philadelphia, and the Patriots hope the wideout’s presence translates into more growth for Drake Maye and explosiveness for their offense.
The Denver Broncos hope wide receiver Jaylen Waddle — acquired from Miami — will have a similar impact for Bo Nix and their offense. In Baltimore, the Ravens hope their investment in Trey Hendrickson helps their defense take a leap forward.
Down in Miami, Malik Willis aims to leap from promising backup to franchise quarterback after his departure from the Green Bay Packers. And in San Francisco, Mike Evans will work to further immerse himself in the 49ers offense after 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he recorded 11 1,000-yard campaigns and earned Pro Bowl honors six times.
Will a fresh start in New England help A.J. Brown return to form and elevate Drake Maye and the Patriots? (Eric Canha / Imagn Images)
Comeback quests
Several teams hope training camp brings with it the healthy returns of some of their biggest stars. In Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes has had a smooth recovery from surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, and coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday that he’s been cleared to participate in training camp. In Indianapolis, the Colts hope Daniel Jones can pick up where he left off before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his 2025 revival campaign. Jones, who re-signed with the team this offseason, is expected to be ready to go Week 1.
The Washington Commanders’ 2025 hopes of returning to the NFC Championship Game crumbled as star quarterback Jayden Daniels landed on the injured list. Daniels is now fully healthy and primed to direct a new offense under first-year play caller David Blough. The 49ers endured an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, and defensive end Nick Bosa (ACL) and linebacker Fred Warner (dislocated and fractured ankle) ranked among the biggest losses. San Francisco anticipates having both star defenders back on the field for Week 1, however.
In New York, the Giants face some uncertainty when it comes to star wide receiver Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL in Week 4, had surgery a month later and this spring had to have another procedure. Coach John Harbaugh has declined to make predictions on Nabers’ return, but he won’t open camp on the physically unable to perform list, an encouraging sign. And count the Packers among teams waiting anxiously for good news about their recovering star. Linebacker Micah Parsons tore an ACL and meniscus in Week 15 and continues his recovery, but is expected to open camp on the PUP list. Parsons will spend camp continuing his rehab in hopes of returning at some point midway through the season.
QB battles
Five NFL teams anticipate quarterback competitions during training camp. The Cardinals, Falcons, Browns, Raiders and Minnesota Vikings all have some sorting out to do at the most important position on the field. In Arizona, Jacoby Brissett, who started 11 games last season, faces competition from journeyman Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck. Brissett missed most of the offseason program while holding out for a new contract. That enabled Minshew and Beck to get more reps than they normally would. Now, with Brissett agreeing Sunday to a restructured contract, LaFleur must decide between the three, although Brissett should be considered the heavy favorite.
In Atlanta, new head coach Kevin Stefanski inherits 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr., who is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 11 and returns to face a challenger in Tua Tagovailoa, who signed with the Falcons in free agency following his release in Miami. The pair of left-handed quarterbacks are expected to duke it out throughout camp and the preseason.
Cleveland head coach Todd Monken also inherited a team with an unsettled quarterback situation. Shedeur Sanders started the final seven games of last season, but veteran Deshaun Watson has returned from the Achilles tendon tear that cost him the entire 2025 season. Watson and Sanders are expected to split snaps in camp after doing so for much of OTAs.
The Raiders spent the first pick of the draft on Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, but they also signed veteran Kirk Cousins in free agency. Team officials would like to start Cousins to afford Mendoza adequate time to develop. However, the rookie will do everything possible to change their minds as he receives a handful of first-team reps at various points of camp. And a year after turning the team over to J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings now face uncertainty at quarterback. Coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings endured a frustrating 2025 as McCarthy battled inconsistencies, and this offseason the team signed Kyler Murray following his release from the Cardinals. The two split time in OTAs and will do so again in training camp and the preseason until a decision is made.
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Early impressions
While Mendoza may have to wait for his starting opportunity, many of his draft classmates have an opportunity to make strong early impressions. Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love could make his presence felt early as LaFleur tries to build a strong run game to support his shaky quarterback room. Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon has an opportunity to help Philadelphia quickly move on from A.J. Brown. Meanwhile, defensive standouts such as Sonny Styles in Washington, Rueben Bain Jr. in Tampa Bay and pass rusher David Bailey with the New York Jets have an opportunity to quickly impact their units.
Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy reunion
The Steelers have a new coach after 19 seasons under Mike Tomlin. In his place: Mike McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl in Green Bay in 2010 and most recently spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. McCarthy’s quarterback in Green Bay, of course, was Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Fame passer contemplated retirement, but decided to run it back one more time in Pittsburgh and reunite with his former coach in hopes of getting one final shot at Super Bowl glory.
McCarthy must figure out how to ignite an offense that ranked 24th in yards and 15th in points last season and best position Rodgers for success. Step No. 1 involves maintaining a healthy relationship with the quarterback. The two endured some rocky and friction-filled times late in McCarthy’s tenure with the Packers. However, Rodgers said earlier this summer that “time always can be a great healer,” and that he has an even greater appreciation for McCarthy now than he did in Green Bay. That’s a good thing, but those sentiments come well before the tensions of an NFL regular season. Can Rodgers and McCarthy maintain a singular vision and cohesion in the face of adversity?
Can Aaron Rodgers recapture the magic he and Mike McCarthy once enjoyed in Green Bay? (Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
Coaches under pressure
The first regular-season game will not take place for another five weeks, but a handful of coaches enter training camp already under a good deal of pressure. Because of shaky 2025 campaigns, these men need to direct strong training camps to help ensure they get off to strong starts this season. An ability to do so will help buy them some time as uneasy and impatient owners watch from above.
With the Jets, Aaron Glenn overhauled his coaching staff in hopes of sparking a rebound from his 3-14 rookie campaign that saw very little go right on either side of the ball. In Cincinnati, Zac Taylor and the Bengals have missed the playoffs three straight years. Injury to Joe Burrow factored in last year’s 6-11 campaign, but so too did great struggles on defense. The Bengals front office invested heavily in that defense this offseason, so the Bengals should improve, but if they stumble out of the gates, Taylor could come under scrutiny.
Washington coach Dan Quinn made an immediate impact in 2024, taking a double-digit loss team to the NFC title game. But Washington regressed mightily on both sides of the ball last season while dealing with injury, age and poor execution. Quinn brought in new coordinators on offense and defense and hopes those moves lead to a rebound.
Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles saw his team’s run of four straight NFC South titles and five consecutive playoff appearances end last season after the Bucs lost seven of their final nine games to finish 8-9. Bowles overhauled his staff, bringing in new offensive and special teams coordinators in hopes of quickly righting the ship.
Remaining talent pool
The majority of impactful roster additions have been made, and most rosters are hovering around capacity. However, several quality (albeit aging) veterans remain unsigned. They could soon receive the opportunities they crave as teams identify lingering holes. Keep an eye on wide receivers Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Deebo Samuel, offensive linemen Cam Robinson and Taylor Decker, pass rushers Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney and Von Miller, defensive back Trevon Diggs and linebacker Bobby Wagner.
