25 stories to keep an eye on in NFL training camps

The Deshaun Watson era is over in Cleveland, but it remains to be seen who will start for the Browns this season. The team made waves by drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders after adding Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Cleveland would like nothing more than for Gabriel or Sanders to emerge as their quarterback of the future.

The Bills came up short again last season. They hope offseason additions Tre'Davious White and Joey Bosa could cure the team's biggest issues if the pair shows that they have some of their prime football remaining.

The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston early in the offseason, only to spend a first-round pick on Jaxson Dart. The coaching staff and front office were already entering a difficult situation, given an ultimatum by ownership, which could complicate the team's decision-making heading into the season.

Training camp has become synonymous with NFL holdouts, and there is no shortage of prominent players in 2025. Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are the biggest names with questionable contract situations, but Terry McLaurin and James Cook are also at an impasse.

The Chiefs have owned the AFC West in recent seasons, winning the division in nine consecutive years under Andy Reid. However, that streak has never looked to be in more peril as the division challengers look formidable. The Chargers and Broncos hope to take another step forward after promising 2024 seasons, while the Raiders hired Pete Carroll and added quarterback Geno Smith.

The offensive line was the biggest of the Chiefs' issues that caused them to fall short of another Super Bowl victory last year. The team worked to address the issue for the long term, drafting left tackle Josh Simmons in the first round and re-signing Trey Smith. The loss of guard Joe Thuney could hurt, but the early returns for Simmons already look promising.

Ben Johnson was selective about his first head coaching job, and the former Lions offensive coordinator saw Chicago as the right fit. It's easy to see why with a young team led by Caleb Williams, but there's still a lot of work to do after last season's struggles. The team's performance in preseason could go a long way in determining early expectations.

After yet another strong regular season, Baltimore's playoff run came to another disappointing halt last year in the Divisional Round. The team has reloaded the deck, but still has its core led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

The consequence of success is often a purge of coaching staffs, such is the case this offseason after Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were hired for head coaching roles. The team turns to new coordinators OC John Morton and DC Kelvin Sheppard, hoping not to miss a beat.

The Eagles are set for their fourth OC in four years after Kellen Moore left to take over the Saints. Kevin Patullo has an embarrassment of riches on offense and plenty of assistant coaching experience, but it remains to be seen how the Eagles' offense will fare.

The Titans have been in search of their long-term quarterback for years, with several strikeouts along the way. Ward is their newest try, the first overall pick out of Miami. The team has worked to improve their supporting cast in tandem, but it could be a difficult rookie season as he learns the ropes in the NFL.

The Steelers continue to perform at least average under head coach Mike Tomlin, but poor quarterback play has held them back. It appears they're all-in for 2025, not only with the addition of Rodgers but also seasoned veterans Robert Woods, Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, and Chuck Clark.

Mike McDaniel has helped supercharge the Dolphins' offense since his arrival in 2022, but the team hasn't made it past the Wild Card Round of the playoffs and missed the playoffs entirely last year. Patience is beginning to wear thin with some big changes in the offseason, and McDaniel might need a rebound season to keep his job.

Darnold was considered a draft bust until his breakout season in Minnesota last year. With J.J. McCarthy rostered, Minnesota opted to move on anyway. The pressure is on Darnold to prove last season wasn't a fluke now that he's in Seattle.

After an extremely disappointing season in Dallas, the Cowboys made a surprise move by promoting Brian Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator to head coach. Schottenheimer has extensive assistant experience and the pedigree as the son of accomplished head coach Marty Schottenheimer, but he was no longer considered a hot candidate. He couldn't find a first head coaching job with more pressure than Dallas.

The Jets went all-in with Aaron Rodgers and his friends over the last two seasons, and those moves backfired. They're beginning a revamp with Justin Fields under center and new head coach Aaron Glenn at the helm in what's likely to be another interesting era in New York.

The Bucs are set to have their fourth offensive coordinator in four years. Their previous two coordinators (Dave Canales, Liam Coen) were hired away for head coaching positions, and it would be a positive sign if new coordinator Josh Grizzard follows in their footsteps.

The frustration continues in Jacksonville, as they can't seem to find the right decision-makers and coaches to get the job done. Even Super Bowl winner Doug Pederson ultimately failed after making the playoffs in his first season, so the team turns to Liam Coen. He has a wealth of offensive weapons to work with, but first needs to get Trevor Lawrence back on track.

The Jags were impressed with breakout rookie Brian Thomas last season, and the buzz is even louder for Hunter. The defending Heisman Trophy winner is set to play both wide receiver and cornerback, a role that's unprecedented in the modern NFL. Success playing both sides of the ball could go a long way in changing the future of the game.

The Rams are focused on at least one last go with their current offensive core, but are already facing a major obstacle. Stafford has been shut down in training camp due to a back injury, and it's unclear when he will be able to get back on the field. He has plenty of experience, but it's a major setback after the team added Davante Adams.

Anthony Richardson has been a massive disappointment since the Colts drafted him in 2023, so the team added legitimate competition in the offseason. Former Giants starter Daniel Jones has shown far more passing ability in his time in the league and could emerge as the team's starter.

After a year away, Mike Vrabel is taking over the up-and-coming Patriots roster this season. As a former player under Bill Belichick, Vrabel's defensive presence and demeanor could be familiar to Patriots fans, and they hope the winning will follow after a strong track record as Tennessee's head coach.

The Saints hired Kellen Moore in the offseason, but he enters a potential rough situation after the retirement of multiple veterans, led by Derek Carr. The team drafted Tyler Shough in the second round, but it's unclear if he's the quarterback of the future. The team has also tried to rebuild its roster in several other areas despite years of limited cap space.

McCarthy effectively took a redshirt year after a knee injury last season, sitting on the sideline while Sam Darnold led the offense. There's optimism that the former Michigan quarterback will hit the ground running with a wealth of weapons and acclaimed head coach Kevin O'Connell. The team's decision to move on from Darnold will be questioned if the Vikings see anything other than immediate success.

The 49ers had one of the deepest wideout rooms in the league in recent years, but that's changed in 2025. San Francisco traded Deebo Samuel, while Brandon Aiyuk is set to miss the start of the season due to injury, and Jauan Jennings is seeking a new contract. The pressure is on second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall and better health from Christian McCaffrey for the time being.