Soccer is hurtling again in the direction of us. Coaching camp opens within the subsequent couple of weeks for all 32 groups within the NFL, we’re lower than a month from the Corridor of Fame Sport, and summer time might be within the rearview mirror earlier than we all know it. Main questions are lingering across the league regardless of soccer virtually being again, and we’ll solely begin to get solutions when camp opens.
Let’s bounce across the league to have a look at the largest unknowns dealing with groups earlier than we hit the primary snaps of summer time.
Who will get 1st crew QB reps for the Browns?
In what guarantees to be the saddest quarterback battle of the summer time, the Cleveland Browns are having an open contest between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. It’s a bit bit like going out to dinner along with your ex that you just broke up with over purple flags, and the individual you have been arrange with whom you’re unsure you actually like.
We all know there’s going to be an open contest for who will get the job underneath middle, however it will likely be fascinating to see which means the teaching workers is leaning as coaching camp opens. Not solely that, however there’s a large wrinkle to the battle which is basically being missed, and that’s the reality Sanders is on an affordable rookie contract, whereas Watson is on essentially the most overblown and devalued contract within the league.
The reality is that Watson goes to should be drastically higher than Sanders to get the job, and that makes the battle in camp all of the extra intriguing.
Can A.J. Brown develop a direct rapport with Drake Maye?
One of many largest trades of the offseason lastly obtained performed, and the thought of giving Drake Maye the deep risk he’s so desperately wanted is an interesting proposition. That stated, simply because it appears to be like good on paper doesn’t imply that is going to be a match made in heaven.
We noticed final yr that Brown isn’t afraid of piping up when he thinks one thing is being performed incorrectly. It takes a robust quarterback to steadiness conserving a celebrity receiver blissful and executing on a sport plan — which is one thing we haven’t seen Maye have to sort out but. Their burgeoning relationship will decide if the Patriots could be a perennial Tremendous Bowl risk, or if the commerce finally ends up being subtraction by addition.
Will Kyler Murray grow to be the following Sam Darnold?
The Vikings have been floundering at their quarterback place for years, however all the time appear to discover a method to put issues collectively. That led to 2025 with the choice to half methods with Sam Darnold after a mega yr and switch the keys over to J.J. McCarthy. It might wind up being one of the crucial notorious selections in latest reminiscence — until Kyler Murray can step up and grow to be the man.
It’s straightforward to overlook how good Murray was with safety and a system that labored for him. We’re just a few years faraway from him throwing for over 3,700 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Since that time it’s been an unceremonious tumble, making this his final greatest shot to stay within the NFL as a beginning quarterback.
Publicly the Vikes have stated there might be a contest between Murray and McCarthy, however everyone knows there isn’t any comparability between the 2 gamers if Murray gels with this technique. Our first probability to see whether or not or not that works out might be in camp.
This is likely to be a query we are able to’t reply till the season actually begins, however step one is seeing how this younger crew progresses underneath John Harbaugh. Touchdown Harbs was a mammoth get for the G-Males, and following the NFL Draft they boast one of many scariest cross rushes within the league, if they’ll put all of it collectively.
The Giants open their coaching camp in West Virginia with a watch on bonding and crew constructing. That might be an important first step to see if these gamers should buy into the Harbaugh philosophy, and whether or not or not that interprets on the sector. If this all comes collectively then the Giants may very well be legit NFC East contenders, if not — effectively, it’ll be one other disappointing season.
How rapidly will Fernando Mendoza get the keys?
The Raiders are taking a cautious strategy with the No. 1 general choose to ensure he doesn’t have an excessive amount of thrown at him directly. This implies he’ll probably be splitting reps with Kirk Cousins at No. 1 in camp, with the last word plan to have Cousins begin the season for the Raiders.
Nonetheless, how rapidly Mendoza digests the playbook and integrates along with his teammates will inform the story of how early we might see him this season. It’s unlikely the Raiders do something however make some incremental enchancment, as a result of there’s a number of work to do — however Vegas can be determined to see some wins from this crew, whereas additionally seeing their No. 1 choose take the sector.
Are the Bears nearly as good as marketed?
The Chicago Bears took a mammoth step underneath Ben Johnson in yr one of many coach’s tenure, however the robust work begins now: Residing as much as expectations. There’s a agency perception that the Bears ought to be significantly contending within the NFC, and a sweetheart choose to win the NFC North — but it surely’s additionally one in all soccer’s most brutal divisions.
Chicago will face a a lot more durable schedule in 2026, and the way Caleb Williams rises to the event will set the tone for this complete group. We all know he has the athletic expertise, however we’ve but to essentially see how he can handle going by the paces in a season the place the Bears are anticipated to win a majority of their video games.
Can the Chargers’ odd couple offense work?
We all know what Jim Harbaugh likes with regards to offense: He desires a no-nonsense operating sport, controlling the purpose of assault, and punctuating issues with play motion passes to generate chunk performs. It’s for that reason that the choice to rent Mike McDaniel to guide the offense was so fascinating/
McDaniel is an offensive genius, however he’s additionally all about some nonsense. An analytical disruptor, McDaniel’s philosophies on assault the sector differ wildly from Harbaugh’s old skool strategy. With the intention to make this work the Chargers are going to want McDaniel to tone down his creativity a hair, whereas Harbaugh might want to put his belief in his OC. That might actually work collectively, or every thing might explode.
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