NFL Training Camps 2026 Schedule and Top Storylines to Watch

We're currently in the thick of the NFL offseason's quiet period, but it isn't going to last long. Training camps are right around the corner, and the NFL preseason will officially begin on August 6 with the Hall of Fame Game.

In the coming weeks, teams will begin ramping up their preparation for the 2026 season, players will compete for jobs and roster spots, and we're likely to see more movement on the free-agent and trade markets.

Here's a look at what's ahead, including training camp dates and the top storylines to track.

Training Camp Report Dates

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Team	Rookies	Veterans
Arizona Cardinals	July 22	July 22
Atlanta Falcons	July 24	July 28
Baltimore Ravens	July 24	July 28
Buffalo Bills	July 21	July 28
Carolina Panthers	July 21	July 22
Chicago Bears	July 25	July 28
Cincinnati Bengals	July 25	July 28
Cleveland Browns	July 23	July 28
Dallas Cowboys	July 28	July 28
Denver Broncos	July 22	July 28
Detroit Lions	July 25	July 28
Green Bay Packers	July 27	July 28
Houston Texans	July 21	July 28
Indianapolis Colts	July 27	July 28
Jacksonville Jaguars	July 25	July 28
Kansas City Chiefs	July 24	July 28
Las Vegas Raiders	July 23	July 28
Los Angeles Chargers	July 23	July 28
Los Angeles Rams	July 25	July 25
Miami Dolphins	July 21	July 28
Minnesota Vikings	July 26	July 28
New England Patriots	July 21	July 24
New Orleans Saints	July 28	July 28
New York Giants	July 23	July 28
New York Jets	July 25	July 28
Philadelphia Eagles	July 28	July 28
Pittsburgh Steelers	July 28	July 28
San Francisco 49ers	July 18	July 25
Seattle Seahawks	July 17	July 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	July 27	July 28
Tennessee Titans	July 23	July 28
Washington Commanders	July 24	July 28

Quarterback Competitions Galore

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett talks to quarterback Carson Beck (19) during the NFL football team's practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Not every NFL offseason features a bevy of quarterback competitions to track, but this one will. Several former starters switched teams during the early offseason, including Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa, and Kyler Murray.

Smith is expected to start for the New York Jets following his trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, though New York did take a fourth-round flier on Clemson's Cade Klubnik.

Tagovailoa, meanwhile, will compete with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury. Murray will compete with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy for the Minnesota Vikings gig. Most expect Murray to beat out McCarthy, who played poorly in 2025, but Minnesota continues to insist it's an open competition.

"Training camp's open," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, per The Athletic's Alec Lewis. "I want to see these guys in very, very unique and difficult circumstances elevate their games to help the Minnesota Vikings."

Cousins took Smith's place in Las Vegas and is expected to be the Week 1 starter, though he's also merely a placeholder for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While Mendoza isn't likely to steal the starting job away from Cousins in camp, his progress will be worth tracking.

The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, brought back Jacoby Brissett, who started 12 games in 2025. However, they also added Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck to the QB room.

Like Mendoza, Beck could eventually be the future for his team.

"I don't know about Week 1 unless something crazy happens, but he definitely has a chance to be a guy for sure," Cardinals tight end Trey McBride told Bussin' With the Boys (h/t ProFootballTalk's Josh Alper).

The Cleveland Browns may not have their QB of the future on their roster, but they will hold a competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders during training camp. Watson had the edge earlier in the offseason, but things could change quickly once camp opens.

Aaron Donald Watch 2026

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Aaron Donald

Fans will have camp competitions to follow that don't involve quarterbacks, of course. Early draft picks like Jets edge-rusher David Bailey, Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, and Tennessee Titans receiver Carnell Tate will be fighting to get on the field.

However, there may be just as much to track off the field in the coming weeks. Free agents like Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel, Jadeveon Clowney, and Joey Bosa remain unsigned. The Brandon Aiyuk trade saga also remains unresolved, as the former San Francisco 49ers star continues to generate buzz on social media.

Of course, the biggest off-field drama of the summer might just involve the future of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

The eight-time first-team All-Pro retired after the 2023 season but has continued to spark speculation about a return ever since the Los Angeles Rams acquired Myles Garrett in a trade with Cleveland.

"It for sure got me thinking," Donald told Pat McAfee of ESPN about the Garrett trade.

The prospect of seeing Donald come out of retirement and team up with Garrett on Los Angeles' defensive front is certainly exciting. Reportedly, it could also soon become a reality.

"What began as speculation ...is now being viewed as close to a done deal, with Donald wanting to play with Myles Garrett ...and telling even more people within the Rams organization of how hard he is leaning into ending his retirement," SportsBoom's Jason Las Canfora wrote.