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NFL Nation
NFL coaching camp is lastly right here. After an offseason of roster turnover and training musical chairs, all 32 groups want to put in work as they begin their quest to Tremendous Bowl LX.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens are two groups which have returned loads of offensive starters, hoping to re-create and even exceed playoff expectations. The Eagles are returning 10 out of 11 of their offensive starters, whereas the Ravens proceed to construct the roster round Lamar Jackson. The AFC West is locked and loaded with tenured teaching expertise, and the Detroit Lions may be on the opposite facet of their championship window after each coordinators left for head teaching positions elsewhere.
Oh, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Our 32 NFL Nation reporters preview all the things you need to be watching as coaching camp begins — and have additionally projected what every 53-man roster may seem like 5 weeks from now.
First, let’s begin with the most important storyline for every workforce:
Leap to a workforce:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Greatest storyline: Will the revamped protection repay? The Payments are getting into the 2025 season with large expectations. By means of the draft and free company, the workforce made it abundantly clear that the unit wanted to be improved from final 12 months, notably with the defensive position being prioritized and retooled in a wide range of methods.
Work was finished this offseason to maintain a number of the workforce’s pillars for the lengthy haul, together with extending defensive finish Greg Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford and including veterans akin to defensive finish Joey Bosa. The unknown is how the brand new group will come collectively on the sphere with the younger additions — six general defensive gamers taken within the draft, three defensive linemen — along with well being query marks surrounding Bosa and the place linebacker Matt Milano is, whereas two linemen are set to be suspended for the primary six video games. — Alaina Getzenberg
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Greatest storyline: Regardless that Jalen Ramsey did not formally depart the Dolphins till late June, the massive query getting into coaching camp is similar one which persevered earlier than OTAs and minicamp: Who will take Ramsey’s place?
Nothing the Dolphins did within the months main as much as Ramsey’s commerce urged they have been making ready for all times with out him; they signed veteran Artie Burns, who hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2019, and drafted Jason Marshall Jr. within the fifth spherical. Basic supervisor Chris Grier provided a public problem to third-year cornerback Cam Smith to provide in a essential season for the previous second-round decide, and the workforce would love for him to earn one of many beginning jobs come coaching camp. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
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0:31
Mike Reiss: ‘Jets cannot fall behind early within the season’
Mike Reiss breaks down the Jets’ troublesome schedule to start out the season.
Greatest storyline: Practically 50% of the roster has been turned over in Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach, however it’s a returning participant — Drake Maye — who holds the last word key to a profitable coaching camp.
Vrabel referred to Maye as a “younger dynamic quarterback” in his introductory information convention, saying Maye was a big a part of what made the Patriots’ head teaching job so interesting to him. How Maye adapts to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme, and elevates these round him, shall be essential in Vrabel’s general plan to return New England to being a playoff contender. Joint practices with the Commanders (Jayden Daniels) and Vikings (J.J. McCarthy) will present a measuring stick of Maye’s progress in camp. — Mike Reiss
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Greatest storyline: Can the Jets break their streak of 9 straight seasons as a bottom-10 offense in scoring? Clearly, Aaron Rodgers and his handpicked coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, weren’t the solutions. Now the Jets flip their hopeful eyes to QB Justin Fields and first-time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
The Jets imagine Fields may be this 12 months’s Sam Darnold and at last stay as much as his first-round draft standing. The plan is to characteristic the operating sport, which can embody operating again Breece Corridor and an offensive line loaded with excessive draft picks. New coach Aaron Glenn needs to ascertain a bully mentality. It has been a very long time for the reason that Jets scared anyone with their offense. — Wealthy Cimini
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AFC NORTH
Greatest storyline: Is that this the 12 months that Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens to a Tremendous Bowl? Baltimore has put Jackson in place to recover from this postseason hurdle by assembling among the best rosters within the NFL. The Ravens return all however 4 starters from final season’s AFC North champion workforce and added two former Professional Bowl gamers in extensive receiver DeAndre Hopkins and cornerback Jaire Alexander.
There may be actually no obvious weak spot with the Ravens, whose offense led the NFL in whole yards final season and whose protection allowed the fewest factors (15.4) within the ultimate seven video games of 2024. So, the most important key for Baltimore is to get by way of coaching camp as wholesome as potential and be taught from previous errors.
“I am not going to say we underperformed, however now we have underperformed,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey mentioned. “I really feel like we have had championship-caliber rosters. … I do not assume we’re far off.” — Jamison Hensley
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Greatest storyline: Can the Bengals turn into a playoff workforce once more? Final 12 months represented a significant missed alternative for Cincinnati. The Bengals spoiled profession years from quarterback Joe Burrow, extensive receiver Ja’Marr Chase and defensive finish Trey Hendrickson and failed, for the second straight 12 months, to make the postseason.
A number of years in the past, the Bengals have been primed to turn into a perennial Tremendous Bowl contender. However a season-ending damage to Burrow in 2023 and struggles in 2024 have saved Cincinnati from returning to its earlier heights. When coaching camp begins, there shall be no excuses for the Bengals to not make the postseason and contend for his or her first AFC title since 2021. — Ben Child
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0:42
Bengals or Steelers: Who has a greater likelihood of creating the playoffs?
Mike Tannenbaum breaks down why he is taking the Bengals over the Steelers to make the playoffs this season.
Greatest storyline: Will a return to Kevin Stefanski’s offense end in extra success? The final two seasons, the Browns reshaped their offense to suit Deshaun Watson, who stays sidelined after struggling a setback in restoration from an Achilles tear. Cleveland, although, is about to return to the scheme Stefanski ran in his first three seasons as head coach, with a give attention to enhancing the run sport. There’s familiarity within the offense, however do the Browns have the personnel?
Together with bringing in 4 new quarterbacks to compete for the beginning job, Cleveland drafted two operating backs (Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson) and a decent finish (Harold Fannin Jr.) who may have to contribute closely as rookies. The Browns may also want one other extensive receiver to step up reverse Jerry Jeudy, who’s one in all solely two wideouts on the roster to register 50 catches in a season. — Daniel Oyefusi
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Greatest storyline: What does the Steelers offense seem like with Aaron Rodgers? For the second 12 months in a row, the Steelers are heading into coaching camp with a brand new veteran quarterback. A 12 months in the past, Russell Wilson entered camp in “pole place” over Justin Fields, however Wilson missed most of camp with a calf pressure sustained throughout the workforce’s opening-night conditioning take a look at.
This time round, Rodgers would be the clear-cut starter when the workforce hits the sphere, however it nonetheless stays to be seen how he’ll mesh with the Steelers’ offensive gamers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme. Rodgers joined the workforce simply earlier than the June minicamp, however he participated solely in particular person durations. Coaching camp would be the Steelers’ first time seeing Rodgers within the offense and the primary alternative to actually gauge how effectively he is working two years after a season-ending Achilles tear. — Brooke Pryor
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AFC SOUTH
Greatest storyline: All eyes shall be on how the Texans offense meshes. Final season, quarterback C.J. Stroud was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks — third most within the NFL in response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats — which resulted in him being sacked 52 instances, second most within the league. So, the Texans revamped the offense.
Houston shipped Professional Bowler left deal with Laremy Tunsil and guards Shaq Mason and Kenyon Inexperienced out. To switch that trio — who accounted for 41 begins in 2024 — Houston signed deal with Cam Robinson, deal with Trent Brown and left guard Laken Tomlinson whereas buying and selling for former Minnesota Vikings proper guard Ed Ingram. Additionally they fired former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and employed Nick Caley in his place. Coaching camp shall be all about how the O-line and playcalling look as Houston goals to get again on monitor towards a Tremendous Bowl. — DJ Bien-Aime
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Greatest storyline: That is shaping as much as be a pivotal coaching camp and season for the Colts, as it’s anticipated to find out the way forward for their management. Basic supervisor Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen are typically thought of to be on the recent seat after late proprietor Jim Irsay contemplated adjustments after final season. Irsay handed away in Could, and his three daughters are actually in cost, bringing with them their acknowledged excessive expectations.
The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since 2020 and have not received a postseason sport since 2018. Which may want to alter if Ballard and Steichen need to keep away from a change in surroundings. The Colts are at a little bit of a crossroads after this season, with quite a few key gamers nearing free company and with the workforce scheduled to have greater than $70 million in cap house subsequent spring. Whether or not the present regime continues to navigate the workforce by way of these waters doubtless relies on the end result of this season. — Stephen Holder
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Greatest storyline: Will Travis Hunter actually be a daily two-way participant in 2025? Whereas there may be doubt across the league, there’s no contained in the franchise. Hunter goes to play vital snaps on all sides of the ball as a rookie. The Jaguars had him spend most of his time on offense within the spring as a result of that is tougher to be taught than protection, however Hunter spent a couple of days on protection.
The plan for coaching camp is for him to get extra time on protection, which incorporates taking snaps on all sides of the ball throughout sure practices. As for what number of snaps Hunter will play on all sides of the ball every week, that can rely on every opponent and sport plan. There may be some weeks when he performs extra on protection — for instance, in Week 2 when the Jaguars face Cincinnati WR duo Chase and Tee Higgins. However GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen are adamant: Hunter shall be a daily two-way participant. — Michael DiRocco
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1:33
Can Travis Hunter be efficient for Jags on either side of the ball?
Domonique Foxworth and Kevin Clark weigh in on whether or not Travis Hunter will make a constructive influence on either side of the ball for the Jaguars.
Greatest storyline: Is Cameron Ward able to be the beginning QB? Given Will Levis‘ season-ending surgical procedure, the Titans do not have a lot of a alternative. Ward will now get all the first-team reps as Titans head coach Brian Callahan seems to get him on top of things throughout camp. Callahan handed Levis the beginning job final season whereas Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis fought for the backup job. He wished to keep away from repeating that call this 12 months, however the present quarterbacks room options Ward and free agent additions Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
Callahan plans to make use of a number of the ideas that helped Ward excel in faculty to create an atmosphere the place he feels snug and may succeed. The changes to the playbook shall be primarily based on Ward’s strengths and preferences, relatively than forcing him right into a inflexible system. This was the precise plan Callahan was part of with the Bengals below Zac Taylor once they drafted Joe Burrow first general in 2020. Joint practices with the Falcons earlier than the second preseason sport and with the Buccaneers earlier than the ultimate preseason sport will enable Ward to show his readiness. — Turron Davenport
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AFC WEST
Greatest storyline: What changes will Sean Payton make in Yr 2 with quarterback Bo Nix? Lots of the brief and intermediate routes Nix was so profitable utilizing in a 29-touchdown rookie season will doubtless be rather more troublesome to return by as defensive coaches will doubtless push Nix into extra throws outdoors the numbers. Nix’s effectiveness as a runner will not be the shock it was final season.
How Payton expands his quarterback’s portfolio within the passing sport, builds a simpler run sport and makes use of free agent signing tight finish Evan Engram, ready that has had little influence, shall be three of the most important items to the puzzle. — Jeff Legwold
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Greatest storyline: Can rookie Josh Simmons resolve the Chiefs’ long-standing drawback at left deal with? The Chiefs spent their first-round decide on Simmons believing he can.
Patrick Mahomes was sacked extra instances final 12 months (36) than in every other season. The Chiefs tried 4 totally different left tackles, benching the primary three for poor play, however by no means acquired constant play on the place. Simmons is coming off a torn patellar damage however was collaborating throughout offseason apply, and the Chiefs have been assured he could be prepared for full contact throughout coaching camp. The Chiefs signed a free agent, Jaylon Moore, to deal with the place if Simmons cannot. — Adam Teicher
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Greatest storyline: How life like is Pete Carroll’s aim of instant success? Carroll does not need to waste time. Since he walked into the constructing, he has been striving to make the Raiders a profitable workforce in his first season. However how life like is his plan?
On paper, Las Vegas’ offense needs to be ok to provide opposing defenses issues. Whether or not the Raiders could be a workforce that floats round a .500 report will come right down to defensive gamers akin to Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce returning to full power and a number of the rookies changing into strong contributors instantly. Exterior of operating again Ashton Jeanty, who is anticipated to be the main target of the offense, extensive receivers Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech and cornerback Darien Porter additionally could possibly be requested to play significant snaps early. Will they be prepared when their numbers are known as? — Ryan McFadden
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Greatest storyline: Is that this the 12 months Justin Herbert lastly has playoff success? Since Herbert entered the NFL in 2020, success for him and these Chargers has been rooted in hypotheticals. Herbert has had the gaudy stats, NFL data and a Professional Bowl nod, however there was little workforce success to indicate for it.
As a substitute, Herbert’s first 5 seasons have been tainted by two of essentially the most embarrassing playoff losses in workforce historical past. Now, in his second 12 months with coach Jim Harbaugh, a coterie of recent move catchers and championship expectations, this could possibly be the 12 months the paradigm shifts for Herbert. Coaching camp would be the first step in altering the narrative for Herbert, as he seems to construct confidence together with his receivers and offense. — Kris Rhim
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NFC EAST
Greatest storyline: Can the Cowboys contend? Final season’s 7-10 debacle appeared to make lots of of us neglect Dallas was 12-5 the three earlier years. Sure, the Cowboys didn’t have the playoff success they wished, however they do not view this as an entire rebuilding job. They have been extra lively in constructing the roster from the skin with free company and trades (George Pickens, Kenneth Murray Jr., Kaiir Elam) and could have Dak Prescott again after he sat out 9 video games final season.
When Prescott has performed a full season (or near it), Dallas has been in playoff rivalry. Issues may be harder with the defending Tremendous Bowl champ Eagles and NFC Championship Recreation participant Commanders within the division, in addition to a troublesome dwelling schedule, however the Cowboys say they imagine they could be a workforce that will get again into the postseason combine after a down season. — Todd Archer
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0:35
Tannenbaum questions holdup with Micah Parsons’ new contract
Mike Tannenbaum wonders what’s delaying Jerry Jones from providing Micah Parsons a contract extension.
Greatest storyline: Can the Giants flip it round with Russell Wilson at quarterback? He is the one new starter for an offense that completed thirty first in scoring final season. However the perception is that the completed veteran will make everybody else round him higher.
Wilson would be the Giants’ Week 1 starter, barring one thing unexpected. First-round decide Jaxson Dart will stay on the bench this season until it is proven they can not win with Wilson behind middle. New York is placing lots of belief in Wilson — and presumably backup Jameis Winston — to maintain this workforce and offense afloat early within the season. The Giants cannot afford one other gradual begin. Not Wilson (on his fourth workforce in 5 years). Not coach Brian Daboll. Not basic supervisor Joe Schoen. If that is the case, they will flip to Dart sooner relatively than later. — Jordan Raanan
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Greatest storyline: Have they got what it takes to repeat? Quarterback Jalen Hurts sought recommendation from Michael Jordan on how you can go back-to-back, and coach Nick Sirianni studied the keys to sustained success this offseason.
“The most important factor is taking it a day at a time. We have now these targets and you’ve got these large desires of what we need to accomplish, however in the end it is a journey,” Hurts mentioned.
Apart from holding focus, the Eagles must hope the personnel turnover on protection doesn’t result in a big downtick in efficiency for a gaggle that completed No. 1 final season. Notable gamers akin to Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Milton Williams are gone. It should fall to the likes of Azeez Ojulari, Kelee Ringo, Sydney Brown and Moro Ojomo to choose up the slack. — Tim McManus
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Greatest storyline: After its greatest season in 33 years, can the Commanders present a worthy encore in coach Dan Quinn’s second season? Was final season simply the end result of magical finishes and catching lightning in a bottle with a dynamic rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels? Or can they construct off an NFC Championship Recreation look?
These are all questions dealing with the Commanders as coaching camp begins. They need to show that 2024 wasn’t a fluke. Washington has not made the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1991-92. Nor has it received double-digit regular-season video games in back-to-back seasons since 1989-91. The Commanders retained their whole teaching workers. They improved the expertise on the offensive line and elevated the depth on the defensive entrance. However they’ve the eighth-hardest schedule within the NFL (although the best within the NFC East). Daniels, although, now permits them to dream large yearly. — John Keim
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NFC NORTH
Greatest storyline: Together with his roller-coaster rookie season within the rearview mirror, quarterback Caleb Williams goals to get his profession on monitor after the group paired him with offensive mastermind Ben Johnson. The previous Lions offensive coordinator mentioned Williams closely factored into his resolution to return to Chicago, and his monitor report of success in growing quarterbacks and constructing high-powered offenses has generated optimism.
Touchdown essentially the most sought-after head teaching candidate over the previous two offseasons signaled the start of a tradition shift inside Halas Corridor the place gamers imagine they’re lastly receiving the teaching and accountability wanted for the Bears to turn into a profitable workforce in a crowded NFC North. — Courtney Cronin
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Greatest storyline: Have the Lions missed their Tremendous Bowl window? Getting into the 2024 season, Detroit was considered by many as arguably the very best workforce within the league — however the hype prepare is not as excessive heading into 2025. Although the roster stays largely the identical, the workforce underwent a significant change to the teaching workers with the lack of OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn.
Through the 2024 common season, the Lions completed with a franchise-best 15 wins however fell brief of their playoff opener to the Commanders leaving many to query whether or not the Lions botched their Tremendous Bowl likelihood. However head coach Dan Campbell says he likes his workforce’s probabilities simply as a lot as anybody else and believes that the championship window is “completely” nonetheless open now that gamers have much more expertise collectively. — Eric Woodyard
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0:52
Is the NFC North essentially the most aggressive division within the NFL?
Sam Acho explains why the NFC North is in a league of its personal because the hardest division in soccer.
Greatest storyline: Do the Packers have a Tremendous Bowl-caliber roster? Basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst mentioned after final season’s wild-card playoff loss that they wanted to ramp up their urgency. Some took that to imply Gutekunst could be extra aggressive than typical within the offseason, and although he made some key free-agent signings (Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs) and at last drafted a receiver (Matthew Golden) within the first spherical, he later clarified it.
“The urgency remark is basically extra for our workforce, our group to know what the expectations are.” Which matches again to a different of Gutekunst’s offseason remarks: “We have a bunch of fine guys in that locker room, we have got a bunch of gifted guys in that locker room, and I believe it is time we began competing for championships, proper? I believe they’re prepared.” — Rob Demovsky
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Greatest storyline: The Vikings have cleared the deck for J.J. McCarthy to be their beginning quarterback, casting apart a number of veteran choices to carry agency on their team-building plan. McCarthy, the No. 10 decide of the 2024 draft, sat out his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his proper knee. Sam Darnold stepped in to throw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, however the Vikings let Darnold signal with the Seahawks in free company. Additionally they handed on a possibility to signal free agent Aaron Rodgers.
McCarthy, 22, is wholesome and displayed a energetic arm throughout spring practices, whereas additionally working by way of the rising pains related to being a first-year starter. For the time being, his backup is veteran Sam Howell, who’s together with his third workforce in three years. The Vikings will use coaching camp not solely to proceed their improvement of McCarthy, but in addition to recalibrate their offense to go well with his expertise. — Kevin Seifert
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NFC SOUTH
Greatest storyline: Is Kirk Cousins‘ continued presence dangerous for Michael Penix Jr.’s improvement? Cousins was not launched within the offseason, as anticipated. As a substitute, he and his $27.5 million contract shall be on the bench, behind Penix.
Cousins struggled starting in Week 10 final season and Penix took over the beginning function for the ultimate three video games. The Falcons did not need to eat all that useless cash by reducing Cousins. But when Penix struggles early, may followers begin calling for Cousins to salvage a possible playoff spot? Or may a quarterback someplace get injured, prompting a Cousins commerce? Atlanta has to hope it will not be a distraction in camp when Cousins will lead the second workforce in apply and maybe get preseason sport reps. — Marc Raimondi
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Greatest storyline: Can Bryce Younger stay as much as expectations in Yr 3? The highest decide of the 2023 draft confirmed glimpses of what Carolina hoped he could be the second half of the season. Within the ultimate three video games, Younger had seven touchdowns to no interceptions and rushed for 3 extra TDs. He was a dropped landing move by rookie Xavier Legette away from beating eventual Tremendous Bowl champion Philadelphia and profitable three of his ultimate 5 video games. Fixing the league’s worst protection is necessary however having Younger play at a excessive stage will decide whether or not this workforce can finish a streak of seven straight shedding seasons. — David Newton
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Greatest storyline: Can Kellen Moore take the Saints again to the playoffs? The Saints have not been to the playoffs since quarterback Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season. Now they will be hoping to try this with each a brand new coach and a brand new beginning quarterback. That quarterback has but to be determined, as quarterbacks Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler are thought of the principle contenders within the quarterback battle this summer time.
Shough was chosen within the second spherical of the draft this 12 months whereas Rattler, a 2024 fifth-round decide, began six video games rather than an injured Derek Carr final season. With Carr’s retirement, the Saints shall be relying on each a younger coach and a younger quarterback to guide them again to success. — Katherine Terrell
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Greatest storyline: How a lot will accidents to All-Professional left deal with Tristan Wirfs and Professional Bowl extensive receiver Chris Godwin have an effect on quarterback Baker Mayfield? Wirfs underwent arthroscopic knee surgical procedure and may begin the season on the bodily unable to carry out record — which might require him to sit down out a minimal of 4 video games — and Godwin remains to be recovering from a dislocated left ankle sustained in Week 7 of final season.
The Bucs invested a first-round draft decide in extensive receiver Emeka Egbuka, permitting them to be affected person with Godwin’s rehabilitation. However Wirfs’ damage creates extra uncertainty, as they’ve a brand new swing deal with in Charlie Heck after Justin Skule departed in free company. Coaching camp ought to give Baker an opportunity to work by way of life with out two essential members of the offense. — Jenna Laine
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0:37
Tristan Wirfs to overlook begin of season with knee damage
Buccaneers left deal with Tristan Wirfs is anticipated to overlook the beginning of the season as a consequence of a knee damage.
NFC WEST
Greatest storyline: The Cardinals have gone all-in within the third 12 months of the Jonathan Gannon period, however the query is: Have they finished sufficient?
This offseason, Arizona overhauled its defensive entrance, including first-round decide Walter Nolen III to the defensive position alongside a free agent haul that included move rushers Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and the return of Calais Campbell. Whereas basic supervisor Monti Ossenfort tinkered with the protection, he largely left the offense intact, hoping one other season with the likes of extensive receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., tight finish Trey McBride and operating again James Conner will assist quarterback Kyler Murray take Arizona to his second playoff look in seven seasons. — Josh Weinfuss
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Greatest storyline: Have the Rams constructed a Tremendous Bowl contender? The Rams do not know the way for much longer veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford needs to play previous this season, however they’ve a powerful workforce.
Los Angeles made adjustments to its offense this offseason, together with releasing extensive receiver Cooper Kupp and signing extensive receiver Davante Adams, however will nonetheless be counting on a younger protection that took large strides throughout the 2024 season. The Rams imagine they’ve a powerful workforce in 2025 however face a troublesome first-place schedule that features the second-most miles traveled within the NFL. They’ll get an early take a look at to see the place they stand as they journey to Philadelphia to play the defending Tremendous Bowl champs in Week 3. — Sarah Barshop
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Greatest storyline: After a 6-11 end adopted by a mass offseason exodus, can the 49ers return to the postseason? The Niners mentioned goodbye to 17 gamers through commerce, launch or free company, together with a handful of key starters. Of their place, San Francisco is leaning right into a youth motion, hoping that an 11-player draft class blended with strikes across the margins such because the commerce for defensive finish Bryce Huff can mix with improved heath for a greater 2025.
The 49ers even have a schedule that, on paper, seems much more manageable than final 12 months’s, however they will need to show they will get — and keep — wholesome in addition to proceed growing younger gamers to benefit from it. — Nick Wagoner
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Greatest storyline: The Seahawks have not superior previous the divisional spherical of the playoffs in a decade, and if they’ll play effectively into January, Mike Macdonald’s protection in all probability must prepared the ground. That unit allowed the ninth-fewest factors within the NFL final season and returns nearly each key participant. It is a totally different story for the offense, which underwent a metamorphosis over the offseason in each scheme and personnel.
All of it started with Seattle firing coordinator Ryan Grubb and hiring Klint Kubiak, and it continued with the trades of quarterback Geno Smith (to the Raiders) and extensive receiver DK Metcalf (to the Steelers). The Seahawks are banking on quarterback Sam Darnold giving them steadier play than what they acquired from Smith, on Cooper Kupp changing Metcalf’s manufacturing, and Kubiak succeeding the place Grubb failed in coordinating a run-centric offense that takes strain off the quarterback. The protection, significantly with the addition of playmaking security Nick Emmanwori within the second spherical, looks as if rather more of a positive factor. — Brady Henderson
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