As summer break concludes and the NFL gears up for another electrifying season, teams are diving headfirst into their training camps. The Houston Texans led the charge, commencing their camp midweek, while the league's rookies are primed to report for duty. This period is crucial as franchises fine-tune their rosters and strategies, making pivotal decisions that could shape their upcoming campaigns.
Jalen Hurts: The Philadelphia Eagles' Ace
A year ago, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts secured a monumental $255 million deal, ensuring his place among the NFL's elite. Two years prior, Hurts squared off against Patrick Mahomes in a memorable Super Bowl clash. Despite a turbulent follow-up to his breakout year, Hurts' performance will be under intense scrutiny as he adapts to a new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore. According to 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. 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 has an intriguing off-field passion: horse riding. Growing up in rural Louisiana, White developed a love for equestrian pursuits and now owns several horses and a property to house them. Josh Edwards elaborates, “Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since. There are multiple elements of equestrian, like dressage, cross country, jumping, etc. ... so White could focus on one discipline.” White's dedication to horse riding offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse interests of NFL players beyond the gridiron.
Gable Steveson: From Olympic Gold to NFL Stardom
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Gable Steveson brings an impressive athletic pedigree to the NFL. A gold medalist in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Steveson was also a two-time national wrestling champion at Minnesota. Josh Edwards emphasizes Steveson's unique status: “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.” Steveson's transition from the wrestling mat to the football field will be closely watched as he aims to make a substantial impact in the league.
Adam Thielen: Golf's Gridiron Pro
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is not only a star on the football field but also a skilled golfer. Thielen has achieved noteworthy success in pro-am golf tournaments, most recently finishing seventh at the American Century Championship. According to Josh Edwards, “It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer. One report stated that his handicap is a 0.6.” Thielen's prowess on the golf course highlights the varied talents of professional athletes.
Challenges and Changes in the NFL Landscape
The NFL offseason has also seen significant player movements and challenges for several teams. Tom Brady's arrival in Tampa Bay previously drew a host of free agents to the Buccaneers, culminating in their Super Bowl LV victory with contributions from new additions. However, there’s also been controversy, as Terrell Owens revealed, “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.”
For the Baltimore Ravens, player departures have created significant concerns on their offensive line. Jared Dubin notes, “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.”
Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Bengals have taken a new direction by parting ways with Joe Mixon and seeking to replace him with Zack Moss. At the same time, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers face their own uncertainties. Dubin adds, “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.”
College Draft Highlights
In the collegiate ranks, the United Football League recently held its 2024 UFL College Draft, with six quarterbacks selected. Jason Bean was the top pick, followed by notable selections like John Rhys Plumlee at No. 3. The draft also saw two Colts quarterbacks, Jason Bean and Kedon Slovis, finding new teams, reflecting the ongoing talent infusion from college football into professional ranks.
As the NFL prepares for another thrilling season, the interplay of emerging talent, strategic changes, and off-field passions promises to deliver yet another unforgettable chapter in the sport's illustrious history.