As the summer break winds down, NFL teams are fervently preparing for the upcoming season, kick-starting their training camps with palpable energy and anticipation. The Houston Texans fired the first salvo, commencing their camp this past Wednesday, setting the pace for others. This week also sees most rookies reporting for duty, a crucial step in their professional journey.
Philadelphia Eagles: A Quarterback's Impact
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been a focal point, stirring considerable interest with his impressive career trajectory. Last year, Hurts inked a monumental $255 million deal, and his dynamic performances on the field have kept fans and analysts spellbound. Two years ago, Hurts showcased his immense talent by going head-to-head with Patrick Mahomes in a high-stakes Super Bowl clash. As noted by Cody Benjamin, "One year after landing a then-record $255 million deal, and two years after going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, Hurts isn't going anywhere."
The appointment of Kellen Moore as the new offensive coordinator is seen as a strategic move, facilitated by Hurts' performance variation following his breakout in 2022. Accordingly, Hurts' trajectory in this new system could be pivotal for Coach Nick Sirianni's fate. As Benjamin further elaborated, "That starts with Hurts, whose more mercurial follow-up to 2022's breakout helped facilitate Kellen Moore's arrival as the new offensive coordinator. Hurts' trajectory in the new system could determine the fate of coach Nick Sirianni as well."
Devin White: A Cowboy at Heart
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White is an intriguing figure off the field as well. The fierce player has a softer side, with a deep-seated passion for horse riding. Raised in rural Louisiana, White discovered his love for horses early on, a passion that continues to thrive today. According to Josh Edwards, "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since." White's equestrian skills span several disciplines, from dressage to cross country and jumping. The Eagles star proudly owns several horses and property to house them, illustrating that his life is as diverse and rich off the field as it is on it.
Gable Steveson: From Olympic Glory to NFL Gridiron
Another athlete making waves is Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Gable Steveson. Steveson, who clinched a gold medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, has transitioned from wrestling mats to the NFL with considerable poise. Josh Edwards provides insight into Steveson's impressive credentials: "Steveson is the only gold medalist on this list. He won the medal in the 125kg weight class as part of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Steveson was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota and is now using his leverage exposure to deconstruct blocks in the NFL."
Adam Thielen: Master of Two Fields
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen continues to impress not just on the football field but also on the golf course. Thielen has carved out a niche for himself in pro-am golf tournaments, recently achieving a commendable seventh-place finish at the American Century Championship. His golfing prowess is well-documented, with a handicap of 0.6, making him one of the NFL's best golfers. Edwards points out a notable pattern: "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer."
Buccaneers' Transformation
Tom Brady's arrival in Tampa Bay has been nothing short of transformative, attracting several high-profile free agents to the Buccaneers. This infusion of talent played a crucial role in their Super Bowl LV victory, with every point scored by players who weren't on the team the previous year. However, not all players have had a smooth experience with Brady. Terrell Owens divulged a rather personal anecdote: "Tom Brady ignored me. The year that AB went crazy ... they just needed somebody to fill some holes with AB leaving at the receiver position. I reached out to him through Randy [Moss] and some other people, just to come in and play third down and red zone situations. This dude ignored me. It just shows you the lack of respect there, but then when they get in front of you they want to act like they respect you."
Challenges and Changes
The Baltimore Ravens are grappling with significant shifts in their offensive line following the departures of Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson. Jared Dubin encapsulates the stakes: "The Ravens seemingly always figure things out up front; but with Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson leaving, and Ronnie Stanley both experiencing lingering effects of his knee issues and not playing at as high a level as he once did, there are a lot of balls up in the air."
In Cincinnati, the Bengals have made changes as well, moving on from Joe Mixon and placing their hopes in Zack Moss. Deshaun Watson’s performance remains a question mark for the Browns, casting doubt on their season prospects. As Dubin noted, "The Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon and are looking to replace him with Zack Moss... There's a lot of uncertainty there. Deshaun Watson hasn't been good since 2020. It is wholly unreasonable to count on him being good this year. Can the Browns keep winning if he keeps disappointing? And then the Steelers both no longer have Diontae Johnson to soak up targets, and are counting on either a Russell Wilson bounce-back or Justin Fields taking a significant step."
UFL Draft Highlights
The United Football League recently held its 2024 UFL College Draft, adding a new crop of talent to its rosters. Notably, six quarterbacks were selected in this draft, with Jason Bean going No. 1 overall and John Rhys Plumlee securing the No. 3 position. The Colts saw two of their quarterbacks, Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis, finding new opportunities through this draft.
As teams reconvene and new talents emerge, the anticipation for the upcoming season grows. With rising stars, strategic changes, and personal stories, the journey promises to be as captivating as ever.