NFL Training Camps 2024: Schedule and Top Storylines to Watch
The start of NFL training camps is upon us, with rookies on the defending AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens reporting as early as Saturday.
It is a sign to football fans that 2024 is rapidly approaching and the kickoff of a new year of prognostications, storylines, competitions, and all of the engrossing drama that comes along with the NFL.
When does your favorite team kick off its training camp festivities and what are two of the most intriguing stories to keep an eye on as the league prepares for preseason action?
Find out with this preview, including reporting dates for rookies and veterans on each squad.
NFL Training Camp Schedule
1 of 3
Below are the reporting dates for rookies and veterans for each of the league's 32 teams, per NFL.com.
Arizona Cardinals
Rookies and veterans: July 23
Atlanta Falcons
Rookies and veterans: July 24
Baltimore Ravens
Rookies: July 13, Veterans: July 20
Buffalo Bills
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
Carolina Panthers
Rookies: July 19; Veterans: July 23
Chicago Bears
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 19
Cincinnati Bengals
Rookies: July 20, Veterans: July 23
Cleveland Browns
Rookies: July 22, Veterans: July 23
Dallas Cowboys
Rookies and veterans: July 24
Denver Broncos
Rookies: July 17, Veterans: July 23
Detroit Lions
Rookies: July 20, Veterans: July 23
Green Bay Packers
Rookies: July 17, Veterans: July 21
Houston Texans
Rookies and veterans: July 17
Indianapolis Colts
Rookies and veterans: July 24
Jacksonville Jaguars
Rookies: July 19, Veterans: July 23
Kansas City Chiefs
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 20
Las Vegas Raiders
Rookies: July 21, Veterans: July 23
Los Angeles Chargers
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
Los Angeles Rams
Rookies and veterans: July 23
Miami Dolphins
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
Minnesota Vikings
Rookies: July 21, Veterans: July 23
New England Patriots
Rookies: July 19, Veterans: July 23
New Orleans Saints
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
New York Giants
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
New York Jets
Rookies: July 18, Veterans: July 23
Philadelphia Eagles
Rookies and veterans: July 23
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rookies and veterans: July 24
San Francisco 49ers
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
Seattle Seahawks
Rookies: July 16, Veterans: July 23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rookies: July 22, Veterans: July 23
Tennessee Titans
Rookies and veterans: July 23
Washington Commanders
Rookies: July 18, Veterans: July 23
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Situation
2 of 3
The Atlanta Falcons signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, which included a $50 million signing bonus and $90 million guaranteed over the next two years, this past offseason.
They were also docked a 2025 fourth-round draft pick and fined $250,000 for violating the league's tampering rules in pursuit of Cousins.
That is a hefty price to pay for a quarterback the team hopes will return it to playoff and championship contention, which made the choice to take quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington at No. 8 overall in this year's draft that much more puzzling.
The team was likely looking to the future and, after watching every other quarterback drafted ahead of them, jumped at the opportunity to take the best player remaining at that position, with the idea being to develop him for the pro stage if and when Cousins called it a career.
Cousins said all the right things and downplayed any frustration or disappointment with the pick, instead relishing the opportunity to go through training camp with a hungry and determined quarterback room. Still, anytime a first-round quarterback is on a veteran's heels, ready to jump him and take over the starting position, it will capture the sports world's attention and become a conversation.
If Penix shines in training camp and earns buzz from coaches and teammates, it will only enhance the idea of a quarterback competition.
Even if those in the organization have no plans to start anyone but Cousins this season.
The potential controversy with Cousins vs. Penix is not the only thing to remember when it comes to the veteran quarterback. Cousins is also coming off a torn Achilles tendon that cost him most of last season in Minnesota.
How he recovers from that and moves around the field could be a determining factor in how much of a competition there is.
Justin Fields' Fresh Start in Pittsburgh and What That Looks Like
3 of 3
After a disappointing start to his career in Chicago, Justin Fields desperately needed to a fresh start with an organization for whom the weight of the entire team would not be on his shoulders.
The former No. 11 pick in the 2021 Draft was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, where he will presumably have the opportunity to sit and learn behind veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, also new to the black and yellow this year.
Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed in March that Wilson is in the "pole position" as the de facto starter but that the team is not resistant to competition.
"When it's time to compete, we get in training camp-like settings and go to preseason stadiums and so forth, obviously Justin will be given an opportunity that shows his capabilities," he told reporters.
Fields was an explosive playmaker for the Bears at times last season but appeared to regress as an actual quarterback, not progressing through his reads before pulling the ball down and looking to make the most of a play with his feet.
The result? A completion percentage of just 61.4, with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He rushed for 657 yards, down from 1,143 the year before, and found the endzone just four times as opposed to eight in 2022.
Fields will have the opportunity in training camp to compete for the job but, perhaps, would be best suited to sit behind Wilson and learn, something he never really had the opportunity to do in Chicago, where he was expected to be the savior of what was, frankly, an offense lacking playmakers around him.
As long as they do not ask him to return kicks, there is every reason to believe Fields is in a much better situation, with more opportunity to develop into the quarterback some thought he would be coming out of Ohio State.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
