As the summer break concludes, NFL teams are ramping up activity with the commencement of their training camps. The Houston Texans were among the early birds, starting their camp on a Wednesday, while most rookies are set to report this week.
Rising Stars and High Stakes
Among the most scrutinized players in this cycle is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts, who secured a record-breaking $255 million deal a year ago, is coming off a period of intense competition, having gone toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl two years back. Cody Benjamin eloquently noted, "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." This season, Hurts' performance will be pivotal not just for the team but also for the future of coach Nick Sirianni.
Hurts' influence doesn't end on the field. He played a crucial role in facilitating Kellen Moore's arrival as the new offensive coordinator for the Eagles. His trajectory in Moore's system could very well determine the direction of the team and Sirianni’s fate moving forward. "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," Benjamin elaborated.
Personal Pursuits and Passions
Beyond the gridiron, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White has a unique passion—horse riding. Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned the ropes of riding from a young age and has maintained that passion ever since. "Growing up in rural Louisiana, White learned to ride horses at an early age and has had a passion for it ever since," mentioned Josh Edwards. White owns several horses and a property to house them, showcasing another dimension to his multifaceted life. Edwards explained, "There are multiple elements of equestrian, like dressage, cross-country, jumping, etc. ... so White could focus on one discipline."
Olympian in the NFL
Another remarkable athlete making waves is Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Gable Steveson. A two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota, Steveson clinched a gold medal in the 125kg weight class at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. "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," Josh Edwards pointed out. Steveson’s transition to football is closely watched, and his impressive wrestling credentials are expected to bolster his impact on the defensive line. "Steveson was a two-time national champion wrestler at Minnesota and is now using his leverage exposure to deconstruct blocks in the NFL," Edwards added.
Life Beyond Football
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is another player excelling outside the realm of football. Thielen has earned accolades in pro-am golf tournaments and recently finished seventh at the American Century Championship. "It is often the quarterbacks that find the most success playing golf, but Thielen is well-documented as being a great golfer," Josh Edwards commented. Thielen’s golfing prowess, highlighted by a handicap of 0.6, sets him apart as a standout in multiple disciplines. "One report stated that his handicap is a 0.6," Edwards added.
Echoes of Leadership and Legacy
Meanwhile, the ripple effects of Tom Brady’s arrival in Tampa Bay continue to be felt. Brady’s presence was a magnet that attracted several free agents to the Buccaneers, resulting in a transformative Super Bowl LV victory where every point came from players who were newcomers to the team. Contrary to appearances of camaraderie, Terrell Owens' experience suggests a different narrative. Owens recalled his attempt to join Brady’s squad during a challenging period, saying, "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...This dude ignored me." This recount paints a picture of the rigid dynamics even among NFL’s elite.
Challenges and Transitions
Elsewhere in the league, the Baltimore Ravens face significant challenges following the departures of Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson. Ronnie Stanley's ongoing knee issues further cloud their prospects. Jared Dubin observed, "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."
The Cincinnati Bengals, on the other hand, moved on from Joe Mixon and are pinning hopes on Zack Moss to fill the gap. Similarly, Deshaun Watson's unsatisfactory performances since 2020 continue to weigh on the Cleveland Browns. Jared Dubin succinctly summed up the uncertainty: "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."
In a different league, the United Football League held its 2024 UFL College Draft on a Wednesday, with six quarterbacks selected. Jason Bean emerged as the No. 1 overall pick, while John Rhys Plumlee followed at No. 3. Impressively, two Colts quarterbacks, Jason Bean, and Kedon Slovis, have found new opportunities through the draft.
As training camps continue and rosters settle, these developments underline the dynamic nature of professional football, where personal growth, strategic transitions, and evolving legacies shape the narrative of an ever-exciting sport.