NFL Training Camps 2026 Schedule and Predictions for QB1 Battles

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close, the 2026 NFL season is set to make its unofficial return. Some rookies will report for training camp this weekend, and the entire league will be at camp by the end of the month.

The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will then kick off the preseason with the Hall of Fame Game on August 6.

The coming weeks will bring plenty of intrigue and drama worth tracking, even if the preseason stats and exhibition games don't matter. Position battles will be taking place, and a handful of starting jobs will be up for grabs.

Here, you'll find a look at the NFL's upcoming training camp schedule, along with predictions for some of the most open QB competitions we're likely to see.

2026 NFL Training Camp Report Dates

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

New England Patriots A.J. Brown, right, runs with Mack Hollins during an NFL football training camp, Tuesday, June 2

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

*Dates according to NFL.com

Don't Expect Rookies to Win Jobs

AP Photo/John Locher

Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza throws during the NFL football team's practice Wednesday, June 10

Training camps provide fans with a great early look at incoming rookies. Many of them will go on to be full-time starters and faces of franchises. That's the expectation for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

However, fans shouldn't expect Mendoza to be thrust into the proverbial fire right away as a rookie. Las Vegas signed veteran Kirk Cousins to be a placeholder, and it has taken a patient approach with his development through the early offseason.

"The Raiders have been patient with Mendoza's adjustment to the next level, having him play mostly with the second and third teams during OTAs and minicamp," ESPN's Ryan McFadden wrote.

While Mendoza may get on the field at some point this season, he's unlikely to be QB1 coming out of training camp.

It'll be a significant shock if fellow first-round pick Ty Simpson gets on the field this season, as he's sitting behind Los Angeles Rams starter Matthew Stafford. Rookies Carson Beck (Arizona Cardinals) and Cade Klubnik (New York Jets) might get on the field this season, but they're unlikely to beat out Jacoby Brissett and Geno Smith, respectively, in camp.

Prediction: No rookie quarterbacks start in Week 1.

Do Expect Former Starters to Claim Jobs in New Homes

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Falcons quarterback's Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa (1) move during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 27

Smith, who started for the Raiders in 2025, isn't the only former starter likely to win the QB1 job with a new team this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons signed Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively, in free agency and will hold pivotal QB competitions this summer.

Murray will battle 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season following knee surgery and then played poorly for much of last season. The early reports suggest that Murray, a former Pro Bowler, is well ahead in the competition.

"With the caveat that this was one day in May, with no pads and some drills performed at half speed, it is only fair to point out that the gap between the two quarterbacks was not close," ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote in May.

The battle between Tagovailoa and 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. may be closer, though it will come with the caveat that Penix is not at 100 percent. He's recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in November.

The reality is that Atlanta may need Tagovailoa to start in Week 1, while the Vikings are hoping that Murray can provide the sort of boost that Sam Darnold did during their 2024 playoff run.

Prediction: Murray and Tagovailoa both start in Week 1.

Expect Cleveland's Latest QB Competition to Extend Through Training Camp

AP Photo

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders gestures during the teams' NFL football practice, Thursday, June 11

The Cleveland Browns are having another QB competition this offseason, this one involving Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Early in the offseason, Watson appeared to have a significant edge, but Sanders has reportedly gained ground.

As ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio recently opined, giving Watson the early advantage might have been a tactic by new head coach Todd Monken to motivate Sanders:

"My guess—and it's just a guess—is that, at some point, Monken explained to Shedeur that he can't wait until the games to flip the switch. He needs to earn the right to have that opportunity by doing all of the little things when it's not a live situation. If that's what happened, it may have worked."

Cleveland should be hoping that Sanders wins the job because he could still be a long-term answer behind center. After four years defined by injuries and ugly play, Watson clearly is not.

However, the Monken will start the quarterback who gives them the best chance to win right away because he could be one-and-done as a coach if Cleveland flounders again this season. That points to Watson starting Week 1, as does the fact that pivoting to Sanders in-season will be easier to sell to the fanbase than going back to a QB who has been nothing but a headache.

Prediction: Watson exits camp as QB1.