As the summer hiatus comes to an end, NFL teams are diving headfirst into their training camps. This period marks the beginning of a crucial phase as teams gear up, leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. The Houston Texans, for instance, initiated their camp activities on a Wednesday, signaling a busy week ahead for both rookies and veterans.
Jalen Hurts: A Pivotal Year Ahead
Among the standout stories is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who inked a deal worth $255 million a year ago, solidifying his position as a franchise cornerstone. Reflecting on Hurts' journey, Cody Benjamin noted, "One year after landing a then-record $255 million deal, and two years after going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, Hurts isn't going anywhere." This endorsement comes as Hurts managed to help facilitate Kellen Moore's arrival as the new offensive coordinator, a move that could significantly impact both his and head coach Nick Sirianni's futures. "Hurts' trajectory in the new system could determine the fate of coach Nick Sirianni as well."
Beyond the Gridiron
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White offers a fascinating subplot to this NFL season. Off the field, White possesses a deep passion for horse riding, a skill he honed in rural Louisiana. Josh Edwards elaborated, "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since." White's dedication extends to owning several horses and maintaining a property to house them, providing a unique glimpse into the personal lives of NFL stars.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills' defensive lineman Gable Steveson adds Olympic glory to his football resume. Steveson, a gold medalist in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, brings his extraordinary wrestling pedigree to the NFL. "Steveson is the only gold medalist on this list. He won the medal in the 125kg weight class as part of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics," Josh Edwards mentioned. This background no doubt aids in his ability to deconstruct blocks on the field.
Golf and the Gridiron
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen demonstrates that athletic prowess isn't confined to football alone. Thielen has found success in pro-am golf tournaments, recently securing a commendable seventh-place finish at the American Century Championship. Josh Edwards highlighted Thielen’s golf skills, stating, "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer. One report stated that his handicap is a 0.6."
Challenges and Departures
Over at the Baltimore Ravens, the team is grappling with significant changes on their offensive line. The departures of Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson present challenges that the team must address. Ronnie Stanley's ongoing knee issues only compound these concerns, as Jared Dubin pointed out, "The Ravens seemingly always figure things out up front; but with Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson leaving, and Ronnie Stanley both experiencing lingering effects of his knee issues and not playing at as high a level as he once did, there are a lot of balls up in the air."
For the Cincinnati Bengals, a notable transition is taking place as they part ways with running back Joe Mixon, looking to replace him with Zack Moss. This shift brings about its own set of uncertainties. Jared Dubin elaborated, "The Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to replace him with Zack Moss... There's a lot of uncertainty there." Further complicating the landscape is Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t performed at his peak since 2020. "Watson hasn't been good since 2020. It is wholly unreasonable to count on him being good this year. Can the Browns keep winning if he keeps disappointing?" Dubin added.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not exempt from upheavals, either. With the absence of Diontae Johnson to soak up targets, the team faces challenges in their passing game. The Steelers' reliance on either a Russell Wilson resurgence or a significant leap from Justin Fields highlights the volatility within their squad.
A New Era in the UFL
On another note, the United Football League recently held its 2024 UFL College Draft, where six quarterbacks were selected. Among them, Jason Bean was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick, while John Rhys Plumlee followed as the No. 3 selection. Notably, two Colts quarterbacks, Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis, found new opportunities through this draft, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their careers.
With the NFL gearing up for an action-packed season, the blend of new faces, emerging stories, and significant transitions promises a captivating journey ahead. As teams iron out strategies and players adapt to new roles, fans can eagerly anticipate the milestones and moments that will define this year's campaign.