By the end of this week all 32 NFL teams will have opened their training camps. Thursday, July 24 is the last day with teams reporting, as the Atlanta Falcons, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Dallas Cowboys report that day.
So while the NFL is not completely back, we are inching closer.
Which makes today the perfect time to take stock of all 32 teams, outlining the biggest question they face as camps begin.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Can the receivers step up?
With the departure of Stefon Diggs to Houston the biggest question facing the Bills this year is whether the receivers around Josh Allen can offer enough in the passing game. Early returns are largely positive on rookie Keon Coleman, but in what could be a tough division, Buffalo will need everything they can get from this group.
Miami Dolphins: Can they win the big game?
The Dolphins have been impressive at the start of the past two seasons, but when the weather gets colder and playoff races heat up, that is when they have faltered. Last year they again started hot but lost three of their last five — including a shocking loss to the Titans — to fumble away the division. Can they win when it matters?
New England Patriots: How quick do we see Drake Maye?
The Patriots added Drake Maye with the third-overall selection. Can he win the battle in camp?
New York Jets: Does the bet on Aaron Rodgers pay off?
Last year the Jets pinned their hopes on Aaron Rodgers, but he lasted just a handful of plays. New York rebuilt the offensive line this year in the hopes of keeping him upright. Does that pan out?
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: Can either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields be at least league average?
The Steelers took on two major projects in the form of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, two signal callers who are more alike in more ways than one on the field, but both have not been near league average recently. Can Arthur Smith get the most out of Wilson or Fields?
Baltimore Ravens: Is the tandem of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry as dangerous as feared?
On paper, putting Jackson and Henry in the backfield together sounds terrifying. Is that truly going to be the case?
Cleveland Browns: Is Deshaun Watson returning to form?
It’s been a long four years since Watson last played at a high level. Is that guy still in there, or have we seen the best of Watson in Cleveland?
Cincinnati Bengals: Can the secondary grow up?
The Bengals played a lot of young guys in their secondary last year (by choice) and it didn’t necessarily go well. Can those young guys grow up fast to match the front seven?
AFC South
Houston Texans: Can they avoid a sophomore slump?
The Texans surprised everyone with a run to the South title a season ago, and loaded up in the offseason. However, now they get a first-place schedule and will not catch anyone by surprise.
Tennessee Titans: Will Will Levis emerge as the guy?
The Titans handed the keys to Will Levis this offseason. Is he their long-term answer at QB?
Jacksonville Jaguars: Was it Press Taylor or the offensive line?
After signing Mitch Morse as their only free agent acquisition, the Jaguars are banking on offensive line continuity and the growth of offensive coordinator Press Taylor. Can either be the difference for the Jaguars?
Indianapolis Colts: Can Anthony Richardson be the answer?
Anthony Richardson entered the NFL with a world of hype around him, but lasted just a handful of games before a shoulder injury ended his rookie campaign. Can he develop into the QB Indianapolis hope he can be?
AFC West
Las Vegas Raiders: Who wins the QB job?
While the Raiders were in the mix for a quarterback this past draft cycle, they saw all of the top five passers come off the board ahead of them in the first round. That meant a pivot to Blake Bowers, and a camp battle between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Who wins?
Los Angeles Chargers: Will Harbaugh-Ball work?
Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL, and one of his first moves was to bring back Greg Roman as his offensive coordinator. The two have strong ties dating back to Stanford, and the hire indicates that Harbaugh wants to bring some toughness, and the running game, to the NFL.
Will it work?
Kansas City Chiefs: Can they do the impossible?
The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl Champions. A question that may define a season is a simple one:
Can they?
Denver Broncos: How quickly do we see Bo Nix?
In the minds of many, Bo Nix was built in a lab to play quarterback for Sean Payton.
Does that mean he starts Week 1?
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: Is Kellen Moore the cure-all?
The Eagles scuffled down the stretch, fumbling away a division lead and ultimately losing in the playoffs. That means there is no shortage of questions facing the team heading into camp but the biggest one is this: Can Kellen Moore get the offense back on track?
Dallas Cowboys: How do they handle this roster?
The most pressing question facing the Cowboys might involve their future. With CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Dak Prescott all looking for new deals, can Dallas keep everyone happy, or is this their last ride?
New York Giants: Can Malik Nabers save Daniel Jones?
The Giants passed on a Daniel Jones replacement in the first round, instead giving him a tremendous weapon in Malik Nabers. Will that be enough to save Jones’ tenure in the Big Apple?
Washington Commanders: Is Jayden Daniels the guy?
The biggest question the Commanders face this year is making sure Jayden Daniels is their long-term answer at QB. Everything after that is gravy.
NFC North
Detroit Lions: Can the defense help them break the glass ceiling in the NFC?
After some more personnel upgrades in the secondary, the Lions’ defense looks like they’re finally ready to play at the same level as the offense. Can it be enough to help them stay at the top of the NFC?
Green Bay Packers: Is Jeff Hafley enough of an upgrade for the defense?
The Packers are a trendy pick to crash the NFC party once again, but this time the defense is under new management in former Boston College HC Jeff Hafley. Can his four down front be enough of a shift schematically to put their personnel in the best spots to succeed?
Chicago Bears: Is Caleb Williams ready to win a lot of games right now?
All of the Bears’ moves this offseason were done with the expectation that first year QB Caleb Williams will be ready to win a lot of games from day one. Can that change at QB be the difference for the Bears?
Minnesota Vikings: How long until we see JJ McCarthy?
McCarthy is the prized jewel of the Vikings’ 2024 draft plans, but with Sam Darnold also in the fold, the brass might be willing to let McCarthy sit before he’s ready to play. How long will that be?
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Was Kirk Cousins worth it?
The Falcons didn’t just go in, they went all the way in on Kirk Cousins to try and bring Atlanta a Super Bowl win as soon as possible. To do this they put their youth development on hold, and bizarrely drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the understanding Cousins was their guy. Now we see if all this effort (and money) was a good allocation of resources and for the Falcons sake, they better hope so.
Carolina Panthers: Can Dave Canales work his magic on Bryce Young?
What Dave Canales did in Tampa Bay to resuscitate Baker Mayfield’s career was nothing short of staggering. It’s also the biggest reason he was hired to be the head coach of the Panthers. Now he’s tasked with saving another former No. 1 pick. Bryce Young’s rookie year was a disaster, largely spurred by coaching issues. If Carolina does anything in 2024 it’ll be because of Canales. No we see if it pans out.
New Orleans Saints: Are rumors of their demise exaggerated?
The Saints are in cap hell, they bled talent, and they’re getting old. At least on paper this organization is headed for a reckoning. However, there’s still good meat on these bones and enough talent to win some games. The Saints will need improvement from Derek Carr, a better offense all together, and a steady defense to make noise in the NFC — but if they can manage that it’ll push back to doomsday clock a few more minutes from midnight.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Can lightning strike twice?
The Buccaneers move forward with Todd Bowles like nothing ever happened, despite major changes to their coaching staff. Offensive genius Dave Canales went to Carolina, and took WR coach Brad Idzik with him. That will hurt, but this is a team still loaded with weapons on both sides of the ball with a chance to surprise people. Baker Mayfield was the catalyst for success in 2023, and he’ll need to have another big year to put the Bucs over the top in 2024. Can they shock people again? That all comes down to how well the offense can run without Canales at the helm.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers: What happens with Brandon Aiyuk?
With players such as Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, and more the 49ers have some of the most diverse offensive players in the league. But Brandon Aiyuk might be their best pure WR. Will he really get traded, or can San Francisco patch this relationship back together?
Arizona Cardinals: Are they this year’s Texans?
Kyler Murray is fully healthy after returning from a knee injury. They added Marvin Harrison Jr. at the top of the draft and bolstered their pass rush with Darius Robinson in the first round. Can Arizona do what Houston did a year ago and surprise us all?
Seattle Seahawks: Can Mike Macdonald bring the Ravens’ defense west?
Mike Macdonald parlayed his success leading the Baltimore defense into his first head coaching job. But can he now get what he did with the Ravens to translate into even more success with Seattle’s defense?
Los Angeles Rams: What will the defense look like without Aaron Donald?
Aaron Donald turned over the crown of “best defensive player in the game” with his retirement this past spring, and the Rams added pieces along the defensive front in Jared Verse and Braden Fiske in the early rounds. Second-year players Kobie Turner and Bryce Young were big contributors as rookies, with the duo notching nine and eight sacks, respectively. Can this group make up for the loss of Donald?
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