As the summer heat starts to wane, the anticipation for the NFL season begins to rise. Training camps are opening up across the United States, and teams are laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a successful campaign. Among the notable storylines emerging from these camps, a few stand out, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Philadelphia Eagles: All Eyes on Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is under the spotlight after securing a then-record $255 million deal a year ago. 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." Hurts' performance will be crucial in determining the fate of head coach Nick Sirianni. "That starts with Hurts, whose more mercurial follow-up to 2022's breakout helped facilitate Kellen Moore's arrival as the new offensive coordinator. Hurts' trajectory in the new system could determine the fate of coach Nick Sirianni as well," Benjamin added.
Devin White’s Off-Field Interests
Eagles linebacker Devin White is known for more than just his football prowess; his love for horse riding is well-documented. Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age. Josh Edwards mentioned, "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since. There are multiple elements of equestrian, like dressage, cross country, jumping, etc. ... so White could focus on one discipline." White even owns several horses and maintains a property to house them, showcasing his deep commitment to this interest.
Bills' Versatile Asset: Gable Steveson
The Buffalo Bills have a unique asset in defensive lineman Gable Steveson, who brings a different kind of gold to the gridiron. Steveson clinched a gold medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. "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 highlighted. A two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota, Steveson is now using his wrestling agility and strength to break through NFL defenses. "Steveson was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota and is now using his leverage exposure to deconstruct blocks in the NFL," Edwards added.
Adam Thielen and His Golfing Pursuits
For Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen, the focus isn't solely on football. Thielen has made a name for himself in pro-am golf tournaments, recently finishing seventh at the American Century Championship. "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer," noted Josh Edwards. "One report stated that his handicap is a 0.6."
Buccaneers' Transition Post-Brady
Tom Brady's tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a significant impact, attracting numerous free agents to the team. Every point scored by the Buccaneers in their Super Bowl LV victory came from players who weren't on the team the year prior. However, the post-Brady era hasn't been without drama. Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens shared his frustration over being ignored by Brady during a critical time. "Tom Brady ignored me. The year that AB went crazy ... they just needed somebody to fill some holes with AB leaving at the receiver position. I reached out to him through Randy [Moss] and some other people," Owens said. "This dude ignored me. It just shows you the lack of respect there, but then when they get in front of you they want to act like they respect you."
Challenges for the Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are facing significant challenges along their offensive line, with the departure of key players and lingering injury issues. Jared Dubin remarked, "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."
Uncertainty Looms for the Bengals and Browns
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals have moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to Zack Moss as his replacement. Jared Dubin pointed out the uncertainty, saying, "The Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to replace him with Zack Moss." Additionally, the Cleveland Browns are contending with quarterback Deshaun Watson's performance issues. Dubin added, "Deshaun 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?" The Steelers are also in a state of flux, having lost Diontae Johnson.
UFL College Draft Highlights
The United Football League held its 2024 UFL College Draft, with six quarterbacks being selected. Jason Bean emerged as the No. 1 overall pick, and John Rhys Plumlee secured the third spot. Colts quarterbacks Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis found new homes through the draft, marking the beginning of their professional journeys.
As NFL teams prepare for the season ahead, these narratives and developments set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable journey. From marquee players and their off-field passions to team dynamics and strategic shifts, the forthcoming season promises to be a captivating spectacle for football fans everywhere.