Mandatory minicamps were in full swing across the NFL over the past two weeks. New schemes got tested, rookies continued acclimating to their new teams, and veterans worked on refining their skill sets.
For fans, OTAs and minicamps offer the first glimpse of what the upcoming season might offer. And each year, every team has its own compelling narrative, from high-stakes quarterback competitions to the integration of marquee draft picks and free-agent acquisitions.
Here, we’ll dive into the most important storyline that emerged after offseason workouts for each team. Whether it’s a battle for starting spots, the recovery of key players from injury or the impact of a new coaching staff, these developments could shape each team’s path to success in the 2024 season.
With contact disallowed until training camp, offseason workouts largely take place in shells. There’s still plenty to get excited about in the meantime, though.
The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up minicamp earlier this week, which provided fans a first look at how they might fare in their second year under head coach Jonathan Gannon.
The Cardinals went only 4-13 in Gannon’s first season at the helm, although Kyler Murray missed the first half of the season while he recovered from his ACL tear. The pieces they added this offseason could help them take a big jump in 2024.
Arizona acquired the B/R NFL Scouting Department’s No. 1 overall prospect, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., with the No. 4 pick, and it added Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson later in the first round. In free agency, the Cardinals added impact veterans to patch holes along the offensive line in Jonah Williams and Evan Brown.
Gannon focused on establishing a culture in his first year at the helm in Arizona. This fall, it’s about taking the next step in the NFC.
The Atlanta Falcons weren’t shy about taking big swings for a quarterback this offseason. They signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency and spent the No. 8 overall pick on Michael Penix Jr., the latter of which came as a major surprise.
That’s going to put a major spotlight on their new-look offense this year under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who came over from the Los Angeles Rams.
Robinson’s offensive scheme tends to revolve around feeding playmakers with touches. Cousins will be asked to distribute efficiently in the intermediate areas through the air.
Running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts each could be primed for liftoff in one of the NFL’s most intriguing skill-position groups.
The Baltimore Ravens’ addition of star running back Derrick Henry dominated headlines this offseason, but they have major questions to answer on defense.
Under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, the Ravens were one of the NFL’s stingiest units last season. With Macdonald now off to head coach the Seattle Seahawks, former Baltimore linebacker Zachary Orr will now be tasked with spearheading the veteran-laden group.
The defensive changes didn’t stop there for the Ravens. They also lost defensive line coach Anthony Weaver (new Dolphins defensive coordinator) and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson (new Titans defensive coordinator). The team also lost star linebacker Patrick Queen in free agency (Pittsburgh Steelers), along with one of its most impactful pass-rushers in Jadeveon Clowney (Carolina Panthers).
On the bright side, the Ravens brought back Justin Madubuike after a breakout 2023 campaign, and they spent a first-round pick on cornerback Nate Wiggins to bolster their secondary. Macdonald was a big loss from a coaching perspective, but the core pieces that remain should help Baltimore continue to overpower less talented offenses.
Aside from quarterback Josh Allen, you may barely recognize the Buffalo Bills this fall. Following another disappointing playoff exit, they retooled a roster that has won four straight AFC East titles.
Gone are wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, safety Jordan Poyer, cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Tyrel Dodson and edge-rusher Leonard Floyd, all of whom served as core contributors on either side of the ball. Bills general manager Brandon Beane sent a clear message this offseason that making the divisional round isn’t enough.
While Buffalo keeps running into the buzzsaw that is Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, Beane can only hope that the new-look roster will help head coach Sean McDermott finally get over the hump.
Bills fans don’t want to hear it, but the Super Bowl window in Buffalo will continue to close as the roster churns and seasons go by.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young failed to meet expectations as a rookie.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick got little to help from Carolina’s front five and surrounding offensive weapons. However, Young’s 11 touchdown passes were the fewest of any quarterback with at least 500 pass attempts. He also had eight games without a touchdown pass, the second-most in league history for a No. 1 pick.
Enter new head coach Dave Canales, who has an impressive track record of getting the best out of his signal-callers in recent years. Both Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay thrived with Canales as their quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, respectively.
Establishing a rapport with Young while laying a foundation for team success remains paramount for Canales as training camp approaches.
The Chicago Bears made no shortage of exciting additions on offense this offseason, including longtime Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen and rookie wideout Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick.
Their most dangerous offseason addition is the player who’ll be tasked with putting those weapons to good use.
After declining to use the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback last year, the Bears took the plunge this year with Caleb Williams. The former Heisman winner is expected to inject explosiveness into Chicago’s offense.
Williams is a sensational playmaker outside of structure, but his ability on schedule and inside the box remains an underrated portion of his game. With Allen, Odunze and DJ Moore at his disposal, Williams looks primed to elevate the Bears offense to new heights.
Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals remain at a standstill in contract negotiations, but it’s evident how much he means to them.
Across his four seasons in Cincinnati, Higgins has caught 257 passes for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s been excellent in the playoffs as well, including a two-touchdown performance in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins in March, and the two sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement. If they fail to do so, Higgins would have to play in Cincinnati on the tag, which is essentially a one-year deal worth $21.8 million.
Higgins looks to be in the Bengals’ plans for 2024, but finalizing an extension to keep him in town beyond this fall remains a major question heading into training camp.
Three major questions surround the Cleveland Browns’ offense after summer workouts.
First, who will call the plays? Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in early June that he and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey have been rotating throughout the offseason.
Then there’s the conundrum at offensive tackle. Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. each have shown an ability to play at a high level, but they’re all coming off season-ending injuries. The Browns need to finalize which players will man the bookend spots.
Last—and most importantly—is the situation at quarterback. Deshaun Watson remains the presumed starter, but the Browns have serviceable depth options after the additions of Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley in free agency. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who started three games last season as a fifth-round rookie, remains on the roster as well.
The Dallas Cowboys are often included among the preseason Super Bowl favorites, and this year is no different. They’re tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the eighth-best odds (+1700) to win Super Bowl LIX, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Team owner Jerry Jones has been spending all offseason declaring that the Cowboys are all-in this year, even if their actions suggest otherwise. That begs the question: What happens if they don’t go on a deep playoff run?
Head coach Mike McCarthy is heading into the last year of his contract, as are quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys still have core pieces such as those two, edge-rusher Micah Parsons, right guard Zack Martin, cornerback Trevon Diggs and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, but they have questions at off-ball linebacker, along the offensive line and in their backfield.
If the Cowboys get off to a slow start this season, how long will McCarthy hold on to his job?
Expectations have drastically changed in the last 12 months for the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos are a year removed from trading for head coach Sean Payton to help get veteran quarterback Russell Wilson back on track. Now, he’s heading into the 2024 season with a retooled roster and a new signal-caller in town. The Broncos spent the No. 12 overall pick on Bo Nix, who figures to take over as their QB1 sooner than later.
The Broncos split first-team reps between Nix, returnee Jarrett Stidham and the newly acquired Zach Wilson during OTAs, but the job looks like Nix’s to lose this summer.
Cutting Wilson with a post-June 1 designation was a tough pill to swallow financially—it left them with a total dead cap hit of $85 million—but both he and the Broncos needed a fresh start heading into 2024.
After taking Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round of the 2024 draft, the Detroit Lions double-dipped with Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 2.
Arnold is currently penciled in as the starter opposite veteran cornerback Carlton Davis, but Rakestraw could also make a big impact as a rookie.
Rakestraw’s physicality, instincts and willingness to mix it up at the line of scrimmage should fit seamlessly into head coach Dan Campbell’s defense, as will Arnold’s fluidity and playmaking prowess.
Expectations will remain lofty for the Lions after they reached the NFC Championship Game last year. The play of Arnold and Rakestraw (nickel or outside) will help determine their ceiling this fall.
The Green Bay Packers hung their hat on deploying odd-man defensive fronts (3-4) in years past. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s primary 4-3 scheme will likely take some time to adjust to.
While there shouldn’t be any surprises as to who will align along the trenches for Green Bay, questions remains about who will start at safety and linebacker.
Quay Walker took a step forward in 2023, but it’s worth watching who lines up alongside him during training camp. The Packers spent a pair of draft picks on Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M) and Ty’Ron Hopper (Missouri), and 2021 sixth-round pick Isaiah McDuffie could be an option as well.
In the secondary, prized free-agent addition Xavier McKinney will start, but his running mate at safety also remains unclear for now. Rookies Javon Bullard (Georgia) and Evan Williams (Oregon) are expected to compete for snaps, as is fifth-rounder Kitan Oladapo (Oregon State) once he returns following offseason toe surgery.
Just how good can Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud be? We’re about to find out.
Stroud is fresh off a historic rookie campaign in which he threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He’ll now be tasked with elevating a Texans roster that could become a force in the AFC South.
While Houston exceeded expectations last year, it won’t sneak up on anyone in 2024. The Texans added edge-rusher Danielle Hunter to pair with reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. and traded for star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon to bolster one of the more exciting rosters in the NFL.
It’ll now be on Stroud to help the Texans take the next step within the loaded AFC.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson made a strong early impression as a rookie last season. However, his rookie campaign ended in Week 5, when he suffered a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Richardson looks primed for a breakout sophomore campaign if he’s able to stay healthy.
While he remains a tick behind in his development process because of how few snaps he’s taken at the NFL level, his ability to create chunk plays with his arm and his legs should help the Colts to put their best foot forward in 2024.
While the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offseason loss of Calvin Ridley will sting, the additions of Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis give them newfound electricity at wideout.
Thomas and Davis should complement each other well. Thomas’ size and speed will force defenses to play deep, while Davis’ ability to separate in the intermediate areas should help him become a friendly face for Trevor Lawrence on high-leverage downs.
After winning the AFC South in 2022, the Jaguars failed to take a step last fall under head coach Doug Pederson. They should compete for a division title this season if their new additions at wide receiver help them live up to expectations.
After winning back-to-back Super Bowls, the Kansas City Chiefs added some much-needed receiving help this offseason. They signed Marquise Brown in free agency and then traded up for Xavier Worthy in the first round of the draft.
Worthy is an explosiveness playmaker who will force mismatches early in his career, but he’s more than just speed. His ability to snap off routes, take it the distance on designated touches and outrun undisciplined angles will add a unique element to the already explosive Chiefs offense.
The rich got richer in Kansas City this offseason, and fans should be on their edge of their seat to watch the fireworks this fall.
Attention was fixated on the quarterback position during minicamp in Las Vegas, as it will be all summer long.
Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew have been splitting first-team reps all offseason, but one of the two will separate themselves from the other at some point. At least, that’s the hope for first-year head coach Antonio Pierce.
The quarterback battle may come down to who best fits with new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Whomever efficiently operates Getsy’s quick-hitting passing attack the best could establish himself as Las Vegas’ starter.
The Los Angeles Chargers are embarking on a new era with head coach Jim Harbaugh and first-year general manager Joe Hortiz.
The Chargers will also look different on the field with Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears), Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) all now elsewhere.
Reaching the playoffs should still be Harbaugh’s priority. The Chargers routinely failed to live up to expectations under former head coach Brandon Staley, but they remain one of the more talented teams in the AFC.
Harbaugh’s success both with the San Francisco 49ers and the Michigan Wolverines suggests he understands what it takes to win at the highest level.
After star defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired this offseason, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead wasted no time to fortify his defensive front.
The Rams front four already featured a pair of standout rookies in Byron Young and Kobie Turner last year. They added further reinforcements in this year’s draft with Florida State teammates Jared Verse (Round 1) and Braden Fiske (Round 2).
No player is capable of single-handedly filling Donald’s shoes. How the Rams’ defensive front develops without him will remain a focus throughout the summer.
The Miami Dolphins figure to sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to an extension at some point this offseason. But until he puts pen to paper, speculation will continue to swirl about Miami’s future at the position.
Tagovailoa’s overall health was a major concern heading into last fall, but his ability to remain available and productive helped him enjoy his most productive NFL season yet. He threw a career-high 29 touchdowns and led the league with 4,624 passing yards.
Contract negotiation is an arduous process that can hang over the head of athletes. Tagovailoa’s recent comments suggests he’s anxious to get a deal done so he can fully focus on football.
With Kirk Cousins gone, it soon will be J.J. McCarthy‘s time to run the show in Minnesota. However, he isn’t guaranteed to start in Week 1.
While the Vikings traded up one pick for McCarthy during the 2024 draft, the rookie has primarily worked behind veteran Sam Darnold in preseason workouts.
“It’s a good balance of both. … We’re going to have a competitive training camp, but we do have a plan for J.J., a long-term plan,” O’Connell said on The Rich Eisen Show. “We see him as our quarterback of the future, and when that ultimately starts with him taking game reps under center will really be about his process of getting there and demonstrating that he’s got total comfort in the system.”
O’Connell’s comments don’t mean that McCarthy won’t start at some point as a rookie or that fans shouldn’t be following his progress. If the Vikings stumble early with Darnold under center, they could hand the keys to McCarthy earlier than expected.
With OTAs and minicamp complete, fans will get their next look at McCarthy during training camp.
Drake Maye’s first taste of the NFL has been a bit of a roller-coaster. The No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft spent some time with the starters during OTAs, but he’s also been as low as third on the quarterback depth chart in New England.
While veteran Jacoby Brissett received the bulk of the work with the starters in OTAs, signs continue to point up for Maye. He operated as the backup to Brissett in minicamp—jumping over Bailey Zappe on the depth chart—and continued to flash the skill set that earned him All-ACC honors in his final two seasons at North Carolina.
“Every day he’s gotten better,” Brissett said of Maye. “He’s just constantly trying to find ways to get better… he’s been here for what? Three-and-a-half weeks, a month? He’s made tremendous strides not only calling the plays but footwork, throwing the ball, and his overall understanding of this offense.”
The Patriots hope that Maye is their quarterback of the future. Not rushing his development should help him avoid a calamitous debut whenever he’s ready to start over Brissett.
The New Orleans Saints have a long list of questions to answer before they host the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. The biggest is their conundrum at offensive tackle.
Two years ago, the Saints spent the No. 19 overall pick on Trevor Penning in the hopes that he’d be their future at left tackle. During the 2024 draft, they spent the No. 14 pick on fellow offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga.
Fuaga lined up at right tackle at Oregon State, but he’s been lining up at left tackle during OTAs and minicamp. Meanwhile, Penning flipped to the right side, which he called a “fresh start.”
Veteran Ryan Ramczyk is dealing with a career-threatening knee injury, so how Fuaga and Penning fare with their respective position switches could go a long way toward determining how the Saints offense fares this season.
Daniel Jones signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the New York Giants in March 2023, but questions continue to swirl about his future in the Big Apple. The Giants can cut or trade Jones next offseason and save $19.4 million in cap space.
While Jones has shown flashes in his five seasons at the helm, injuries and a lack of consistent production have stopped him from cementing himself as the Giants’ long-term answer under center.
The G-Men passed on drafting Jones’ potential successor with the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft, which raised questions about their plan under center moving forward. The Giants came back to earth last fall after a surprising playoff berth in 2022.
While the Giants have remained steadfast in their support of Jones, it’s difficult to envision them reaching their ceiling as long as he holds the keys to the offense. Rather than take a quarterback, they spent the No. 6 overall pick on wide receiver Malik Nabers, but the electric playmaker’s success will directly depend on the quarterback position.
Last year, Aaron Rodgers made it four snaps into his New York Jets debut before he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. He attempted to return in unprecedented fashion late in the season, but the Jets missed the playoffs and shut him down for the year.
The Jets’ 2024 campaign will go as the now 40-year-old-quarterback does.
Rodgers may not be the same MVP-caliber quarterback that he was in his prime or even prior to his Achilles injury, but talent doesn’t disappear overnight.
Considering the group of skill-position players Rodgers will have at his disposal, the Jets should put points on the board in bunches this fall. That requires Rodgers to remain healthy, though.
After getting off to a 10-1 start last season, the Philadelphia Eagles collapsed, losing five of their final six regular-season games. They gave up 250-plus passing yards in three of those five losses, along with their blowout defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Wild Card Weekend.
The Eagles looked to shore up their secondary this offseason by reuniting with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency and spending early-round picks on Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean.
While veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry remain in Philly for now, Mitchell’s elite athletic profile, ball skills and pure man-coverage ability should help him earn a starting job right away. DeJean’s hybrid skill set should allow new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to remain creative with his personnel on the back end.
Both corners figure to play substantial roles this fall as the Eagles attempt to punch their ticket to the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to say that Russell Wilson will likely begin the year as their starting quarterback, with Justin Fields backing him up.
“It’s a competition,” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently said. “I mean certainly I’m sure things will heat up, but both those guys knew that however they were acquired and they got here and I think it’s been pretty transparent.”
Competition only makes players better. While either Fields or Wilson will start the year holding a clipboard, whomever develops the hot hand during training camp and the preseason could ultimately earn the majority of snaps this fall.
While the Steelers have the most uncertainty at quarterback in the AFC North, you’d be remiss to think head coach Mike Tomlin expects anything less than a playoff berth in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been clamoring for a new contract over the past few months. He made his frustration clear by skipping mandatory minicamp earlier this month.
The Niners could wait out Aiyuk and hope he’s willing to play this season without a long-term deal. They could also meet his contractual demands and sign him to an extension to get him back in uniform as soon as possible.
The other option is to trade him. If the two sides cannot agree to terms, the Niners could receive young talent and/or draft picks by shipping Aiyuk elsewhere.
First-round rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall give the Niners insurance for whatever happens with Aiyuk. But as long as Aiyuk remains without a new deal, it’ll remain the top storyline for the reigning NFC champs.
Mike Macdonald spent the past two seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator, but he’s now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. He has a long list of defensive playmakers at his disposal in Seattle, too.
Macdonald’s experience working with Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike should help Byron Murphy II, whom the Seahawks selected 16th overall in this year’s draft. Seattle also brought back Leonard Williams to play off Murphy’s hip within the trenches.
Off the edge, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall look primed to evolve into consistent playmakers. With offenses focused on stopping Murphy and Williams on the interior, both players should see plenty of isolated opportunities to create pressures.
In the secondary, 2023 No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon and 2022 Pro Bowler Riq Woolen remain one of the top young duos in the game.
The Seahawks finish 30th in yards allowed and 25th in points allowed last season. MacDonald’s arrival should help them make a major improvement on that side of the ball.
Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles. It’s likely only a matter of time before he resets the market at his position.
While many players often hold out from offseason workouts amidst contract negotiations, Wirfs was in attendance at Buccaneers minicamp this week as he awaits a new deal. The star left tackle didn’t work out with his teammates or participate in any drills, but his presence at the facility showcased his commitment to the team.
Wirfs is a 2021 first-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection only four seasons into his career. He and the Bucs should be motivated to agree a new deal sooner than later.
The Tennessee Titans aggressively sought to improve their offense around second-year quarterback Will Levis this offseason. They splurged on the likes of wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard, center Lloyd Cushenberry III and wideout Tyler Boyd and added offensive tackle JC Latham with the No. 7 overall pick.
Two years after trading wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Titans have yet to find an adequate replacement for him. Ridley, an explosive perimeter threat, will now pair with DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks and Boyd to make life easier on Levis.
With a new, offensive-minded head coach in Brian Callahan, Tennessee has the talent to surprise this fall should Levis continue to progress.
It’s an exciting time for Washington Commanders fans. They have a new ownership group led by Josh Harris, a new general manager (Adam Peters), a new head coach (Dan Quinn) and a new potential franchise quarterback (Jayden Daniels).
Washington spent the No. 2 overall pick on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who should be their most talented signal-caller in more than a decade. The Commanders also added potential high-impact rookies in corner Mike Sainristil, tight end Ben Sinnott, tackle/guard Brandon Coleman and wideout Luke McCaffrey.
Peters also added impact veterans in free agency, including linebacker Bobby Wagner, offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz and running back Austin Ekeler. The longtime Los Angeles Chargers tailback should complement Brian Robinson Jr. well.
The Commanders’ ceiling (and floor) this fall will rely on Daniels’ development under center. They’ll enter the season as an unknown with so many new pieces, but the future looks bright for an organization with only five winning seasons since 2000.