The NFL gets underway as training camps crank up
The vast majority of teams have started their training camps this week with full rosters as we countdown to the friendly games ahead of a new season.
The wait between the end of one season and the start of the next is too long for many, but the National Football League is finally warming up. This week has seen the vast majority of teams start training camps with their entire rosters. Rookie practice had already begun a few days before, depending on the franchise, but now the veterans and stars have been incorporated into the preparations.
Brady u-turn, Rams retainers, Watson contract...
On 13 February of this year, the Los Angeles Rams’ victory in the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals closed last season. Since then, endless things have happened in a league that never really stops in terms of headlines.
Tom Brady retired before quickly changing his mind; the Rams kept their key players (new contracts for Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald); Davante Adams left Aaron Rodgers to join the Las Vegas Raiders and Tyreek Hill did the same with Patrick Mahomes to be part of the Miami Dolphins.
Russell Wilson left the Seattle Seahawks after a decade playing heading to the Denver Broncos; Washington announced that they will now be called the Commanders; Deshaun Watson signed a stratospheric contract with the Cleveland Browns amid accusations against him of sexual assault; Khalil Mack arrived to reinforce the defense of the Los Angeles Chargers; the San Francisco 49ers did not trade Deebo Samuel and named Trey Lance as their new main man; Travon Walker was chosen in first position in the Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars; the Pittsburgh Steelers chose Kenny Pickett as Ben Roethlisberger’s successor...
Yes, it’s been a busy few months...
Rams, Bengals, Cowboys... NFL training camps are go
The training camps, with their particular schedules, will allow the teams to prepare for what we hope will be seen during the season. For the first three days, it is established that the training will be non-contact. On the fourth and fifth days, the players will be able to train with a helmet and light practice clothes, while the sixth day is a compulsory rest.
From the seventh day, normal training will begin, with regular clothing and with full contact. The teams organize themselves to do joint practices and test what they have tried, although the main priority is that of avoiding serious injuries to important players, something that sadly usually happens every year.
And then to the actual NFL games.
On Friday, 5 August, Jacksonville and Las Vegas will meet in the classic ‘Hall of Fame game’ that opens the friendly calendar. The following week, all teams will play the first of three friendly matches scheduled this year. And on 9 September, finally, the regular season will begin with the duel between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills.
The hours are counting down to the start of an exciting year, which is being presented with a great range of candidates for everything, stars everywhere in each team and, once again, it will be the king of sports in the United States.