Getty imagesThe excitement around the draft has subsided, and each club has started to work on the challenging task of filling out a depth chart and eventually trimming the roster.
Much of the headlines generated by these exercises turns out to be noise, but updates on position battles, QB expectations and contract disputes are usually noteworthy.
With all of that in mind, GOAL highlights the NFL training camps that are generating the most buzz among the fans and analysts as the new season approaches.
Getty imagesAfter securing 10 victories over the past two seasons, including a 7-10 record last year, Chicago finally appears poised to transition out of the rebuilding phase. The Bears' outlook shifted dramatically when they traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh and selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, believing he will be the difference-maker they've been searching for.
Chicago is focused on constructing a sustainable roster, supported by a defense on the brink of breaking into the top 10, and an offense enriched with talented receivers, running backs, and tight ends. This strategic approach places Williams in an ideal position to guide the team to its first winning season since 2018.
Williams will have no shortage of options in the passing game this season, including wide receivers DJ Moore (1,364 yards, 8 TDs last season - both career highs), 12-year vet Keenan Allen (1,243 yards - traded from the Chargers) and No. 9 draft pick Rome Odunze (1,640 yards at Washington).
Moore's ferocious explosiveness, paired with Allen's slick route running and Odunze's skill as a deep threat (24 deep receptions on 60 targets of 20 yards or more), provides Williams with several passing game options.
The Achilles' heel of Chicago's roster is its defensive line, and that's where Gervon Dexter Sr. enters the picture. Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, Dexter had a roller-coaster start to his NFL career in his rookie season. However, the Florida alum shows promise in pass-rushing and could thrive as Chicago seeks reliable options to complement Montez Sweat in pressuring the quarterback.
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Getty imagesIt's an exciting period for the Washington Commanders, who are entering the next stage of a new regime under general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. This year's training camp features an overhauled roster, half of which is made up of new players, free agents and draft picks.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is undoubtedly the center of attention at the Commanders' training camp. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU quickly became the face of the revitalized franchise after being selected with the second pick in this spring's NFL draft.
Although Quinn is not rushing the decision to name Daniels the starter in football's most pivotal position until the timing is right, Daniels had an impressive spring, earning the respect of his teammates with his strong work ethic and savvy on-field decision-making.
A dynamic threat regarded as a passer who can run, if Daniels end the camp looking like he can play, Washington can feel much better about its future as he can help change the direction of the franchise. Finally.
Getty imagesWill Aaron Rodgers' antics finally come to an end and he returns to his MVP level from 2021? This is the burning question on the minds of every Jets fan right now.
The polarizing veteran quarterback had quite an eventful offseason, engaging in a public spat with Jimmy Kimmel and skipping the three-day mandatory minicamp to vacation in Egypt—an unexcused absence. However, that's all in the past. Rodgers now needs to step up and help the Jets crack the code of the postseason. They haven't made the playoffs in 13 years, the NFL's longest active drought.
Another potential distraction for the Jets is the Haason Reddick-holdout, which has become a major storyline after he didn't report to training camp on Tuesday. Four months ago, the Jets trumpeted their 2026 conditional third-round pick for the Pro Bowl edge rusher. Now the franchise and its marquee defensive addition are embroiled in a contract dispute, with the player taking a hard-line stance for a new contract.
The Jets attempted to sign him to an extension at the time of the trade and are still open to doing so, but they would not entertain a player who is not in camp. New York needs to get its act together, as this sets the tone for an ugly season.
For the Green Bay Packers, 2024 is a chance to prove themselves to be the contenders. Last campaign, they went 9–8 thanks to a strong second half, got into the playoffs and became the first seventh seed in NFL history to win a playoff game, demolishing the Dallas Cowboys.
Last season, star QB Jordan Love threw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. Surrounded by largely the same offense, along with the addition of running back Josh Jacobs, who has big shoes to fill as Aaron Jones replacement, Love could improve further, but he must first need to get back on the field for that to happen.
Green Bay aimed to finalize Love's contract by July 22, the beginning of training camp, but finished the new deal shortly after that initial deadline. Love agreed to a deal with the Packers on a four-year $220 million extension.
Green Bay also signed Kenny Clark to a massive extension.
The Packers have also appointed a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, who has altered a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 formation and has promised an aggressive, attacking style.
Getty imagesThe Steelers have a quarterback battle on their hands since the team hasn't officially named Russell Wilson as the starter. However, he has been leading the charge throughout the offseason, and nothing observed during OTAs or minicamp indicates that he won't be the starting quarterback come Week 1.
The 35-year-old still has plenty to prove after a rough two-year tenure in Denver and the fact that he signed a one-year contract means this is effectively his make-or-break season as he looks to prove that he can still compete with the best and rising stars of the league.
If Wilson can't deliver the goods from the jump, Justin Fields will be waiting in the wings for his opportunity. The 25-year-old finished his 2023 campaign with the best statistics of his career as the quarterback for the Chicago Bears. With 3,217 yards between passing and rushing as well as 20 touchdowns between the two, Fields had a solid season for the Bears, who were swayed by the attraction of first-round choice Caleb Williams, forcing Fields to test the market.
Whether it's Fields or Wilson under center, George Pickens is sure to be the primary target for the Steelers. However, the depth chart beyond him remains somewhat unclear.
The Steelers boast a strong lineup of wide receivers, including Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson, but none have solidified their position as the clear second option. While the free agency pool is shrinking, the team might still consider bringing in a playmaker during training camp to bolster their receiving corps.