Will Some Players Stick Around?

Will Some Players Stick Around?

It is time for that six-week break from the grueling work of Organized Team Activities, mandatory training camp, and rookie orientation.

As a rookie, or as a young veteran with a “prove-it” one-year deal, and players in their 2nd and 3rd NFL seasons, do you stick around more often than get lost?

On the podcast by Kim Bokamper and Joe Rose, “Out to Pasture”, this question came up.

The sentiment was that if these players want to make the 53-man roster, or even the practice squad, and they have not perfected the playbook, the answer is obvious.

I would think that most players will take some time off, especially those who have been with the team for a few years and know the drill.

But others?

Like the rookies and undrafted free agents who want and need to make the team?

Like second and third-year players who have yet to prove themselves?

It will be interesting to see if any reports emerge from the South Florida media about who is showing up on campus.

There will always be someone there, whether it be strength coaches, position coaches, or other players.

And as Kim Bokamper said on the podcast, if you need to learn the playbook and the offensive or defensive scheme, there will be opportunities to do so.

But you must be there.

I will be curious to see which rookies make their way back to South Florida and go to the facility.

Will it be number one draft pick Kaiden Proctor?

Chris Johnson?

Jacob Rodriguez?

Or any undrafted free agents?

Most of the rookie class will contribute to the team, and all of them are staying either on the 53-man roster or the practice squad.

Coach Hafley demands work, dedication, effort, and intensity, so let’s see who goes the extra mile.

And that includes the 2025 draft class of defensive linemen Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers, as well as 2024 draftee Chop Robinson.

Showing up or just hanging out for six weeks?

Take some days, I get it, but you’d better work your ass off to make this team

That is the expectation I get from this new regime of GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and Coach Jeff Hafley.