NFL training camp watchlist: Shedeur’s debut, Kelce’s encore and Pickens in Dallas

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The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NFL training camps. 

Enough sloshing through summer in the NFL. Real football (sort of) is here as training camps kick off in earnest across the league this week.

And with that comes a myriad of storylines and tidbits to follow for the next few weeks. However, it’s often easiest to follow the players. So, The Athletic’s NFL writers made it easy and picked one to watch as training camp commences.

Is it the exciting free-agent addition who could make all the difference in 2025? Could it be the highly anticipated rookie quarterback set to change the franchise’s fortunes? Or could it be a backup having to step in for an injured All-Pro?

Read more below to find out.

Arizona Cardinals

OLB Josh Sweat

In need of pass-rushing help, the Cardinals made one of the offseason’s bigger moves, signing Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract. He’s exactly what they needed, someone who can disrupt the quarterback, perhaps Arizona’s biggest weakness under head coach Jonathan Gannon. Expectations are high for the 28-year-old Sweat. He was a force in last season’s Super Bowl, producing 2 1/2 sacks in Philadelphia’s win over Kansas City. Over seven seasons with the Eagles, he had 43 sacks, including 11 in 2022. This season, he could help turn a decent Arizona defense into a strong one, helping the Cardinals return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season. — Doug Haller

Atlanta Falcons

QB Michael Penix Jr.

This is not a subtle pick, but Atlanta’s hopes this season rest almost entirely on the young quarterback, specifically his connection with his wide receiving corps. Penix was impressive in spots in the three games he started in 2024, but his completion percentage (58 percent) ranked 29th in the league in that span. Falcons coaches said most of his misses were the result of unfamiliarity with his pass catchers. That’s something that should have been addressed in Penix’s first offseason as the starting quarterback. If the connection looks strong in training camp, that’s a good sign for Atlanta’s offense. If not, it’ll be a red flag. — Josh Kendall

Baltimore Ravens

CB Jaire Alexander

The Ravens’ one-year deal with Alexander received a lot of fanfare and praise. For the hype to be justified, Alexander needs to stay healthy. The 28-year-old has missed 20 of 34 regular-season games over the past two years. If he’s anywhere close to his pre-injury form, the Ravens have a steal and perhaps the best secondary in football. Being able to match up in the secondary with Alexander, fellow corners Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, and versatile safeties Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks could take Baltimore’s defense to another level. However, a big part of that is Alexander staying healthy and fitting in with his new team. — Jeff Zrebiec

Buffalo Bills

DE Joey Bosa

The Bills took a calculated risk in free agency by signing Bosa to a one-year deal worth $12.6 million to try to improve their pass rush in 2025. Bosa’s best years may be behind him, but he remained an effective pass rusher who could be a big upgrade to what they had in A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller and Dawuane Smoot last year. The big question is whether Bosa can stay healthy in the run-up to the season and how they’ll manage his practice reps to ensure it happens. He already had a calf injury that cost him all of the spring practices. Bosa is one of the players who can provide a true big swing one way or another to their results this year, and his overall health and effectiveness in camp will dictate a lot of it. — Joe Buscaglia

Carolina Panthers

DE Derrick Brown

The Panthers were cautious with Brown in the spring, and for good reason. When he went down with a torn meniscus in Week 1, it was the start of a long year for the defense. The former Auburn standout won’t fix everything for Carolina’s league-worst defense. But he’ll clean up many of the run-stopping issues that plagued the Panthers in 2024, when they became the third team in league history to allow 3,000 rushing yards. Brown’s 103 tackles during his 2023 Pro Bowl season were the most ever by a NFL defensive lineman. Getting Brown back will be big. — Joseph Person

Chicago Bears

QB Caleb Williams

Sure, the left tackle battle between Braxton Jones and rookie Ozzy Trapilo will be a storyline. We’ll watch how wide receiver Rome Odunze looks in Year 2, and how rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden step in after missing OTAs. But it’s all about Williams. Over the years, we hear — and, in fairness, echo — the narratives, “Well it’s a veteran defense against a young group learning a new scheme.” At some point, the franchise should see its quarterback dominate camp practices. Maybe there will be understandable growing pains, but everything is supposed to be in place for Williams to thrive. — Kevin Fishbain

Cincinnati Bengals

OG Dylan Fairchild

Pressure will be high and eyeballs will be fixated on the Bengals’ guard battles all camp. At the center of that is this third-round pick for whom the team has cleared the path to assume the starting left guard role. Will he be up to the test? Or will putting him out to protect Joe Burrow on Sept. 10 feel like organizational malpractice? There are three veteran options around Fairchild and we’ll learn how tough his transition to the NFL will be and if the Bengals will still have more questions than answers at the problematic guard spot. — Paul Dehner Jr.

Cleveland Browns

QB Shedeur Sanders

The one Browns player much of the outside world is watching makes for a fascinating evaluation internally, too. After all 32 teams decided Sanders wasn’t worthy of being drafted for nearly 5 1/2 rounds, the Browns traded up to take him despite having selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel 50 picks earlier. Sanders showed in the spring that he’s capable of throwing with touch and accuracy. In a wide-open, four-man quarterback competition this summer, Sanders will have to show he’s capable of commanding the huddle, mastering the playbook and avoiding some of the mistakes against pressure that evaluators didn’t like from his college tape. The Browns aren’t counting on Sanders to be ready right away, but their quarterback competition could go a dozen ways — and Sanders could eventually find himself on the field as a rookie if he performs well this summer. — Zac Jackson

Dallas Cowboys

WR George Pickens

Finally getting to see the offensive line and running backs in full pads will be high on the list because of all the questions with Dallas’ running game, but that’s not close to Pickens. Trading for him was the most notable move the Cowboys have made since adding Amari Cooper during the 2018 season. In that situation, Cooper was at least able to play two weeks later. Pickens was at all of the organized team activities and minicamp, but that’s nothing compared to seeing what he can do with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb while everyone is going live in full pads. The expectations for the passing game should be highlight plays just about every day in Oxnard, Calif. — Jon Machota

Denver Broncos

LB Dre Greenlaw

The Broncos believe they can produce one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2025, and signing Greenlaw in free agency was a move to improve the “spine” of that unit. If Greenlaw plays at a level that approaches his peak in San Francisco, the Broncos should be dangerous at every level of the defense, which includes a terrorizing front (league-high 63 sacks last season) and a secondary starting Defensive Player of the Year honoree Pat Surtain II. The big question is whether Greenlaw, who missed the spring with a quad injury, can get to the season healthy. — Nick Kosmider

Detroit Lions

G/C Tate Ratledge

Frank Ragnow’s retirement changes the outlook for the Lions offensively, in part, because he was such a constant. He could be left on an island against the top interior defensive linemen in the league and win with regularity. Replacing him is no small task, but one player to keep an eye on is Ratledge, a second-round pick. He almost exclusively played right guard at Georgia, but he cross-trained at center during OTAs. Whether he winds up there now or later depends on how quickly he catches on, but Ratledge has the goods. He’s smart, detail-oriented, prepared, instinctive and moves well for his size. Graham Glasgow remains the favorite at center in 2025, but Ratledge could seize the job with a strong training camp. — Colton Pouncy

Green Bay Packers

Matthew Golden, WR

Every catch the first-round pick makes at Ray Nitschke Field in training camp will draw oohs and ahhs from the crowd. There’s simply more of a spotlight on you when you’re a wide receiver drafted that early in Green Bay. Will Golden and his stick ’em hands and blazing speed surpass any of the returning receivers on quarterback Jordan Love’s preference list before the season starts? We couldn’t deduce much from pad-less workouts this offseason, but it’ll be intriguing to see just how big a part of the offense Golden is once football starts to count this summer. — Matt Schneidman

Houston Texans

QB C.J. Stroud

The Texans have been on a mission this offseason to upgrade their young quarterback’s supporting cast. They overhauled the offensive line, brought in veteran and rookie talent at wide receiver and hired a new offensive coordinator. Stroud, in turn, must find comfort with the new pieces around him and take steps forward after a sophomore season that saw both he and the offense regress. New play caller Nick Caley runs a similar system, so the concepts will not be entirely foreign for Stroud, but the two must figure out how to remain a step ahead of defenses, who now have good familiarity with the rising star’s strengths and weaknesses. — Mike Jones

Indianapolis Colts

QB Anthony Richardson

Richardson was shut down May 29 due to what Colts coach Shane Steichen labeled as “aggravation” to the surgically repaired AC joint in Richardson’s throwing shoulder. The quarterback has resumed throwing, a league source told The Athletic, and it now appears Richardson will be available when the Colts begin training camp. Richardson’s injury history, though, is a big reason the Colts signed Daniel Jones to challenge him for the QB1 title. If Richardson plans to keep his job and start over Jones in Week 1, he can’t afford to miss many more practice reps. He also must show marked improvement with his accuracy. — James Boyd

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR/CB Travis Hunter

Let’s not overthink this one. Hunter is going to be one of the most exciting players in the league for the foreseeable future, and there’s so much intrigue over his usage. The Jaguars traded a significant package of assets to move up for Hunter because they love his offensive ability, but a good chunk of the league viewed him as a full-time corner with plenty of value as a scheme receiver. However the Jaguars use Hunter, expect there to be a lot of it. He has all the necessary talent to be a star, and he has the backing of an organization that’s motivated to help him get there. — Jeff Howe

Kansas City Chiefs

TE Travis Kelce

He’ll turn 36 in October. He regressed last season and was a non-factor in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. He thought about walking away. He has about as busy a schedule away from football as any other player in the game. But Travis Kelce is back, invigorated by the sour taste in his mouth from that game in February. “I feel like I failed my guys,” he said in June. He’s dropped some weight, looking to rediscover some speed and become, once again, the lethal weapon across the middle of the field he’s been for so much of his career. But will he? In Year 13? Coach Andy Reid has vowed to keep a close eye on Kelce in training camp, guarding against overuse. “He doesn’t know he’s getting older, but I do,” Reid said. “I can be the bad guy in some cases there, if needed.” Kelce’s role — whether he’s revived or regressing — remains paramount to the Chiefs’ success. — Zak Keefer

Las Vegas Raiders

QB Geno Smith

Smith has plenty of familiarity with coach Pete Carroll and multiple assistants on staff, but he’s still a newcomer working to learn offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system and ingratiate himself with his teammates. The Raiders have had a revolving door at quarterback for a few years and made a significant commitment to Smith with the belief that he’s the answer. The offense surrounding him isn’t anything to write home about — there are big question marks at offensive line and receiver — which puts a lot of pressure on him to be at his best. Training camp isn’t the end all be all, but fans will start to get restless if he doesn’t have a strong one. — Tashan Reed

Los Angeles Chargers

RB Omarion Hampton

Hampton was already poised to have a big offensive role after the Chargers selected him No. 22 in April. He now has a chance to carve out a larger role even sooner because of running back Najee Harris’ uncertain status. Harris injured his eye in a July 4 fireworks accident. He was placed on the non-football injury list. Hampton was the clear lead back on the field as the Chargers opened training camp July 17. He has game-changing talent, and that should come to life in the weeks ahead. The Chargers were happy with how Hampton looked during spring practices, when the team was not in pads. “I think he’s going to be even better in pads,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. — Daniel Popper

Los Angeles Rams

Backup tackles

Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein was recovering from two shoulder procedures (non-repair) this spring and missed OTAs, while starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is managing blood clots and has no status update for camp just yet. The Rams signed D.J. Humphries and David Quessenberry in the late stages of free agency this spring, and have been hoping that third-year player Warren McClendon or second-year player K.T. Leveston can develop into reliable swing backup tackles. The Rams have been meticulous and resource-forward in rebuilding their offensive line for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford over the last two seasons, and he will go as they do — and hope that if healthy starters aren’t available, the backups are up to par. — Jourdan Rodrigue

Miami Dolphins

LT Patrick Paul

The Dolphins drafted Paul in the second round in 2024, knowing Terron Armstead’s days in the NFL were numbered. It was a wise course of action; now it just has to work. Paul didn’t play much in his rookie year, but in his limited exposure, he also didn’t provide much reason for optimism. PFF charged him with allowing 15 pressures and three sacks on just 210 pass block snaps and ended up rating him 78th out of 81 qualified offensive tackles in 2024. It’s a small sample size to be sure, but if the Dolphins offense is going to recapture its former glory, it’s going to need a lot more from Paul than he showed last season. — Jim Ayello

Minnesota Vikings

Edge Dallas Turner

Picking quarterback J.J. McCarthy here would’ve been far too easy. So, how about fellow first-rounder Dallas Turner? The Vikings traded a haul to climb to the No. 17 pick for him in the 2024 NFL Draft. Turner played sparingly in his rookie season, mostly because the Vikings had two phenomenal edge rushers: Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. Those two players remain. Still, Minnesota is committed to supplying Turner with more playing time. Will he receive off-the-ball snaps? How will he look rushing off of the edge in his second season? Can defensive coordinator Brian Flores find a way to get Van Ginkel, Greenard and Turner on the field together? These are three of the more interesting questions to observe once the Vikings take the practice fields. — Alec Lewis

New England Patriots

RB TreVeyon Henderson

We could’ve gone here with Efton Chism, the undrafted wide receiver who shined during spring practices, but instead, let’s go with Henderson, the team’s second-round pick. He brings obvious speed and a big-play ability to a Patriots offense that has lacked juice in recent years. Plus he does it all, spending time this spring as a kickoff returner, passing target and running back. He’ll be a ton of fun to watch. — Chad Graff

New Orleans Saints

QB Tyler Shough

There’s really no other direction to turn for this topic for the Saints. The team has no idea if the 2025 second-round pick will be the future at quarterback. Shough, who turns 26 in late September, will basically be handed the starting job, though, despite a competition with Spencer Rattler. Still, there’s no doubt every pass thrown by Shough in training camp and preseason games will be heavily dissected. He’s the only other QB from April’s draft who will likely start in Week 1 outside of the Titans’ Cam Ward. If Shough struggles during training camp, then what? — Larry Holder


Will Jaxson Dart (6) move into the QB2 role for the New York Giants during training camp? (Adam Hunger / Getty Images)

New York Giants

QB Jaxson Dart

I debated putting Abdul Carter here because with the pads on, we’ll finally get a more accurate sense of his dominating potential at edge. But all eyes have been on Dart since he was drafted, and those won’t shy away as camp picks up. Especially interesting will be how the snaps are divided among quarterbacks with Russell Wilson the clear No. 1 coming out of the spring. Will Dart move into the QB2 role (he took more second-team offensive snaps than Jameis Winston this spring) or will he settle into a QB3 role that benefits his long-term development? And will those camp snap assignments tell us anything about the Giants’ game-day plans? — Charlotte Carroll

New York Jets

QB Justin Fields

We’re going chalk. It would be difficult to list any other player here — though I did consider others, including Garrett Wilson (he always puts on a show), Armand Membou (rookie battling with veteran pass rushers) and Jermaine Johnson (talented player coming off an injury). But Fields is the only answer. Anything the Jets hope to accomplish this year hinges on Fields becoming the quarterback Aaron Glenn believes he can be — which is more than just a running quarterback.

Every throw, every decision he makes in training camp will be scrutinized. His athleticism is undeniable, but the key is seeing how he handles things when he’s under pressure, when the pocket breaks down and when receivers aren’t open — even if the threat of actually being tackled isn’t there. He had an up-and-down spring but I felt like he improved in his decision-making as the days progressed. That will be crucial for training camp. No, he doesn’t have to dominate. But he needs to show steady improvement, a command of the offense and accuracy that wasn’t there early in his NFL career. — Zack Rosenblatt

Philadelphia Eagles

DB Cooper DeJean

DC Vic Fangio’s experimentation with perhaps his best defensive back will pick up in earnest when training camp begins. While Fangio disclosed his plan to keep DeJean at nickel and test DeJean out at cornerback or safety in base packages, OTAs ended without any public viewing of DeJean at safety. The Eagles secondary underwent yet another significant transition in the offseason. There are position battles at both cornerback and safety. By keeping an eye on how DeJean is deployed, you’ll partly see where Fangio believes the secondary’s strengths and weaknesses are. — Brooks Kubena

Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers’ indecision dominated the headlines throughout the offseason. Now that he’s finally put pen to paper, we can stop wondering when and where he’ll sign and start asking a more important question: How will he perform in the Steelers’ offense? Rodgers only participated in individual drills during the three minicamp practices he attended. That means training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., will be the first glimpse of the Steelers’ newest old gunslinger. Will he play like a four-time MVP or will he look more like a 41-year-old who flirted with retirement? — Mike DeFabo

San Francisco 49ers

WR Ricky Pearsall

One receiver was unloaded to Washington, one is still on the road back from a knee injury (though reports are good), and the other just requested a new deal or a trade — all of which leaves second-year player Ricky Pearsall trying to step up as the No, 1 target for Brock Purdy. The quick-twitched Pearsall, the team’s first-round pick a year ago, finished strong with 14 catches for 210 yards in the final two games and hit the road to work with Purdy in the offseason to improve their timing. He then did miss offseason workouts in June with a tweaked hamstring, but the 49ers said he is fine and will be ready for training camp. With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk in the trainer’s room, it is unlikely the 49ers trade Jauan Jennings, so that will take some of the pressure off Pearsall. — Vic Tafur

Seattle Seahawks

CB Devon Witherspoon

The fifth pick in the 2023 draft, Witherspoon is one of Seattle’s best players, and he’s the only Seahawk to make the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons (he was on the original ballot both times). Witherspoon plays both outside cornerback spots and nickel, and the latter requires him to be a stout run defender in addition to myriad coverage responsibilities. Over the last decade, the Seahawks have had just one non-specialist earn first-team All-Pro honors (Bobby Wagner). With a high-energy play style that jumps off the screen, Witherspoon has the potential to break that streak in 2025. — Michael-Shawn Dugar

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OT Charlie Heck

The Bucs didn’t sign Heck in March to be their starting left tackle, but it appears he will be for at least the first four games of the season. Tristan Wirfs, who recently was voted the best offensive tackle in the league in an ESPN poll of league executives, coaches and scouts, is expected to start the year on the physically unable to perform list after recent knee surgery. That means Heck will be responsible for protecting Baker Mayfield’s blindside. He is taking the roster spot of Justin Skule, who played well as the team’s swing tackle last year but was lost in free agency. Heck, a six-year veteran on his fourth team, has 23 career starts. In camp, he needs to show he can block Calijah Kancey, Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby. — Dan Pompei

Tennessee Titans

QB Cam Ward

This is the obvious and uninspired answer, but who else could it be? Beyond the fact that Ward just went with the top pick in the draft, the Titans are bereft of high-level, or even interesting, players. The retooled offensive line will have the most to say about Ward’s ability to operate effectively and this team’s potential to surprise, but preseason camp won’t provide any firm answers on that group. It’s all about watching Ward’s daily progress as he prepares for a near-certain starting assignment in Week 1. Already, he has built some chemistry with Calvin Ridley, and he needs more of the same with the rest of a largely unproven receiver room. — Joe Rexrode

Washington Commanders

QB Jayden Daniels

After a dazzling rookie season, which featured a surprise run to the NFC Championship Game, the expectations in Washington surrounding Daniels are sky high. Daniels will not be able to sneak up on anyone this season, however. So he’ll need to make additional strides forward to help Washington return to the playoffs and challenge for the NFC East title. Daniels and Washington were at risk of losing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to a head coaching job, but Daniels’ talented mentor remains in the mix. New offensive weapon Deebo Samuel should add another dimension to the playbook, and his integration into the offense should be compelling. But it all starts with Daniels. — Mike Jones

(Top photo of  Shedeur Sanders  and Travis Kelce: Nick Cammett and Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images)




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