As the summer break winds down, the excitement surrounding the NFL intensifies with training camps kicking into gear. NFL enthusiasts are keen to see how their favorite teams and players will perform in the upcoming season, and significant storylines are already developing.
Texans and Eagles Kickoff
The Houston Texans commenced their training camp on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a rigorous preparation phase for the new season. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles are making headlines, primarily due to their star quarterback, Jalen Hurts. A year ago, Hurts secured a monumental $255 million deal. 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."
Hurts' pivotal role in shaping the Eagles' future is emphasized with the arrival of Kellen Moore as the new offensive coordinator. "That starts with Hurts, whose more mercurial follow-up to 2022's breakout helped facilitate Kellen Moore's arrival as the new offensive coordinator," Benjamin remarked. Hurts' performance in the new system will be crucial for head coach Nick Sirianni's longevity with the team.
Devin White's Equestrian Passion
Outside the realms of football, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White has a unique passion—horse riding. Growing up in rural Louisiana, White developed a love for equestrian activities early on. Josh Edwards shared insights into White's off-field pursuits, saying, "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 not only rides horses but also owns several and has a property to house them.
Steveson's Golden Legacy
The Buffalo Bills' defensive lineman, Gable Steveson, brings a unique pedigree to the NFL, having won a gold medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Josh Edwards highlighted Steveson's accomplishments, stating, "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. Steveson was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota and is now using his leverage exposure to deconstruct blocks in the NFL."
Adam Thielen Shines in Golf
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is not only making waves on the football field but also in the golfing community. Thielen recently showcased his golf skills by finishing seventh at the American Century Championship. Edwards commented on Thielen's golfing prowess, "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."
Bucs' Success and Ravens' Challenges
Tom Brady's tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers marked a transformative period for the team. Brady’s arrival attracted numerous free agents to the Buccaneers, culminating in their Super Bowl LV victory. Notably, every point scored in that victory came from players who weren't on the team the previous year. However, not all interactions were positive, as Terrell Owens shared his frustrating experience. "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, just to come in and play third down and red zone situations. 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," Owens lamented.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens face significant challenges with the departures of Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson. Ravens’ stalwart Ronnie Stanley is also struggling with lingering knee issues. Jared Dubin summarized the situation, "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."
Bengals' Transition and Browns' Uncertainty
The Cincinnati Bengals are transitioning from Joe Mixon and are looking to Zack Moss to fill the void. Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns has also been under scrutiny for his performance since 2020, raising questions about the team's future success. Dubin provided his perspective, "The Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to replace him with Zack Moss... There's a lot of uncertainty there. 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?"
Steelers' Wide Receiver Dilemma
The Pittsburgh Steelers are also dealing with roster changes, most notably the departure of wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was a key target for the team. "The Steelers both no longer have Diontae Johnson to soak up targets, and are counting on either a Russell Wilson bounce-back or Justin Fields taking a significant step," added Dubin.
2024 UFL College Draft Highlights
In the latest collegiate developments, the United Football League held its 2024 UFL College Draft on a Wednesday. Notably, six quarterbacks were selected, with Jason Bean going No. 1 overall and John Rhys Plumlee at No. 3. The Indianapolis Colts saw two of their quarterbacks, Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis, move to new teams through the draft.
As the new season approaches, the NFL landscape is brimming with intriguing narratives, from rising stars to enduring challenges. Enthusiasts and analysts alike are eager to see how these stories unfold on the gridiron.