NFL teams have officially begun training camp as preparations intensify ahead of the 2024 season. With every team starting at 0-0, hopes remain high across the league for a successful campaign culminating in a Super Bowl victory.
The Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals were among the first to report on Wednesday. The Panthers, led by quarterback Bryce Young and fresh off an NFC South title, are set to face the Cardinals—coached by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur—in the Hall of Fame Game on August 6, which marks the beginning of the preseason slate. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots followed suit by opening camp on Friday. These two teams will meet in a Super Bowl rematch to open the regular season on September 9. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers started camp on Saturday; the NFC West rivals will play the league’s inaugural regular-season game in Australia on September 10. The remaining 26 teams are scheduled to report on Tuesday.
This year’s camps feature significant change, with ten teams introducing new head coaches, several teams facing quarterback uncertainties, and notable player moves that may reshape pre-season dynamics. Among the new coaches, John Harbaugh takes over the New York Giants after his 18-season tenure with Baltimore concluded. He inherits a roster featuring young talent including quarterback Jaxson Dart. Kevin Stefanski moved to Atlanta following six seasons in Cleveland and now leads a Falcons offense that includes standout players such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts. The Falcons must decide between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback.
In Tennessee, Robert Saleh assumes command after back-to-back 3-14 seasons for the Titans. He has the advantage of an established franchise quarterback in Cam Ward and added offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to guide the offense. In Pittsburgh, Mike McCarthy and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers reunite, hoping to end the Steelers’ playoff win drought dating to January 2017. Among first-time NFL head coaches are Klint Kubiak with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jeff Hafley in Miami, Joe Brady in Buffalo, Todd Monken in Cleveland, and Jesse Minter in Baltimore.
The quarterback landscape is notably fluid. Tua Tagovailoa aims for a career resurgence in Atlanta after a challenging finish with Miami. Kyler Murray, newly acquired by Minnesota, seeks to stay healthy and return to Pro Bowl form while competing against first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. The Raiders rely on Kirk Cousins as a temporary starter while rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, could emerge sooner than expected. Malik Willis, having earned a significant contract with the Dolphins following limited starts in Green Bay, and the Jets’ Geno Smith add to the shifting quarterback dynamics. The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition is among the most closely watched, featuring the return of Deshaun Watson along with Shedeur Sanders vying for the starting role.
Further contractual matters include questions about Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is in the final year of his three-year, $100 million contract. Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential extension.
In addition to internal preparations, teams are increasingly incorporating joint practices with opponents in place of preseason games to better ready quarterbacks and key players for the regular season. The Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers, however, have opted not to participate in such sessions.
Training camp rosters are capped at 90 players during this phase, with teams required to reduce those rosters to 53 by August 30 in advance of the regular season. With a full slate of question marks and new faces, the road to Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in February remains open for all 32 franchises.