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The new NFL season is coming into focus as training camp begins. Here are five teams with questions that the results of camp will shed light on.
What are the chances Shedeur Sanders starts Week 1?
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the odds of the fifth-round pick starting under center for the Cleveland Browns are +870 — far from good. While the Browns may want veteran QB Joe Flacco to steady the ship, the team won’t deny using the better player. If Sanders wants to remain in the spotlight, he’ll have to stand above the rest of the competition throughout camp just to get a shot to compete for the Week 1 job.
Can the Kansas City Chiefs offense bounce back?
The Chiefs had the worst explosive play rate in the NFL last year, per The Athletic. Their offense needs to become explosive again if Kansas City wants to return to the Super Bowl. However, the Chiefs’ most explosive player is facing suspension.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time for his involvement in a multi-vehicle accident in 2024. Head coach Andy Reid is moving forward as if it’s business as usual till the NFL hands down its ruling, which it isn’t. So, Reid will need second-year receiver Xavier Worthy to make progress from the potential he showed as an explosive playmaker throughout last season.
Will the Cincinnati Bengals solve their contract standoffs?
The Bengals’ defensive front is missing two key pieces: defensive ends Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. Hendrickson has been in a contract standoff all offseason. It’s gotten personal for the 2024 sack leader, but the Bengals seem confident they’ll get a deal done.
On the other hand, Stewart has yet to put pen to paper on his rookie contract due to language that gives the team authority to void all future guarantees if he violates certain terms in the deal. The Bengals indicated they aren’t budging and are waiting for Stewart to accept the contract unchanged. For now, Cincinnati is in limbo with two players it needs to anchor a struggling unit.
Which New York Giants quarterback will back up Russell Wilson?
The Giants QB depth chart consists of Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart and Tommy DeVito. DeVito will likely see his 15 minutes of fame expire as the No. 4 QB, but the No. 2 spot isn’t locked in. The Giants gave Winston a two-year deal to be their backup in 2025 and a potential bridge QB in 2026.
Even so, if Dart thoroughly impresses in training camp, head coach Brian Daboll may have to consider the rookie as his go-to option if Wilson gets hurt or doesn’t perform well enough during their daunting 2025 schedule. Considering the intensity of the New York media, any positive signs from Dart in training camp could also pressure Daboll to showcase Dart’s potential as soon as possible.
Does Aaron Rodgers have enough left in the tank?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are asking the same question this summer that the New York Jets did two summers ago. The difference for head coach Mike Tomlin’s team is that the Steelers are a stable franchise. Still, Rodgers has suggested this is his final season, so it’s unlikely the 41-year-old will look like his MVP-self again. For Pittsburgh, that doesn’t matter much as they’ll still rely on their defense to push them into the playoffs. What matters is whether Rodgers can do enough to get them past the first round in the postseason.
