NFL Training Camp 2018 Kick Off

After a long offseason, the NFL is finally back. Training camp is officially underway and the season is just around the corner. There’s a lot going on right now, so let’s try to catch up on all of the latest headlines and storylines in the NFL as training camp opens.

The New Deal

Making headlines right before the start of training camp was the six-year, $69.4 million deal running back Todd Gurley signed with the Rams. Gurley had a sensational 2017 campaign and is clearly poised to be one of the league’s best running backs in the years to come. More importantly, he chose to sign an extension now rather than wait until next offseason when Le’Veon Bell figures to set the market for running backs.

Another Holdout

Speaking of Bell, he is once again a training camp holdout. Bell sat out most of training camp last year and could end up doing it again. He’ll be playing the 2018 season under the franchise tag before hitting free agency, although he is yet to sign his tender, clearly upset that the Steelers didn’t offer him a lucrative extension. Bell and the Steelers are no longer able to negotiate an extension, but that won’t stop him from expressing his displeasure by sitting out camp. Ultimately, he’s hoping to stop Gurley’s deal next summer despite being a few years older.

Lucky Return

After missing the entire 2017 season, Andrew Luck is back at training camp with the Indianapolis Colts. Luck’s shoulder never quite healed following offseason surgery, so he was unable to play for the Colts, who went 4-12 without him. However, Luck has been fully cleared to participate in training camp and will play in the team’s first preseason game. How much rust he has to shake off and how his body will hold up physically after sitting out a full year remains to be seen. But the Colts have to be excited to have Luck back under center.

Three-Way Battle

One of the most intriguing position battles of the preseason will be the Jets’ three-way battle at quarterback. Josh McCown is technically the starter as the incumbent. However, the Jets also signed Teddy Bridgewater over the offseason, and if he’s fully recovered from his devastating knee injury two years ago, he could challenge for the starting spot. Rookie Sam Darnold will also get an opportunity, although it doesn’t look like the Jets will rush him into the starting job if he’s not ready.

The Rookie Class

In addition to Darnold, there are several rookie quarterbacks who will be interesting to watch during training camp. For instance, many believe Lamar Jackson could push Joe Flacco in Baltimore with a strong preseason. Top pick Baker Mayfield will look to push Tyrod Taylor for the starting job in Cleveland. Josh Allen may be able to do the same to A.J. McCarron in Buffalo. Finally, Josh Rosen is someone to watch closely, as he sits behind the injury-prone Sam Bradford on the depth chart in Arizona.

Teams on the Rise

There are a few teams fans may want to watch closely during training camp. It starts with the San Francisco 49ers, who closed 2017 with five straight wins after Jimmy Garoppolo became the starting quarterback. Such success should be taken with a grain of salt, but Garoppolo looks like the real deal and his supporting cast isn’t too bad either.

Keep an eye on the Houston Texans as well. Deshaun Watson was incredible before his unfortunate knee injury last season. If he’s healthy, it changes the entire shape of the AFC South, which is a wide-open division. The Texans also hope to welcome back J.J. Watt from injury. Watt, if you remember, is kind of a big deal.

Finally, don’t overlook the Cleveland Browns. They did a lot of moving and shaking over the offseason, bringing in several free agents to mix in with all the young players they’ve drafted the past few years. They also have Tyrod Taylor, who led the Bills to the playoffs last year, so the quarterback position is far less of an issue than it’s been in past years. If nothing else, they’ll be more interesting to watch than the team that went 0-16 last year.