The 2026 NFL training camps are right around the corner, with rookies reporting as early as July 17 (Seattle Seahawks), with most teams kicking off by late July. Veterans will follow after, and joint practices will provide the first real tests of schemes, chemistry, and depth.
After a busy offseason with plenty of key additions in the NFL Draft, free agency, trades and coaching changes, several teams head to camp with major questions. Here are five battles and storylines worth monitoring during training camp.
Arizona Cardinals QB competition: Jacoby Brissett vs. Carson Beck
With Kyler Murray out, the Cardinals enter with one of the bottom-tier quarterback rooms in the league, featuring Jacoby Brissett (who held out of parts of the offseason program seeking a new deal), Gardner Minshew, and Carson Beck.
Expect heavy competition in camp as Brissett brings experience and recent production, but Beck’s arm talent and poise were noticeable during minicamp. Brissett is projected to open the season, with Beck eventually taking over later, but a strong camp could change that.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes’ return from ACL injury
Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in Week 15 of 2025, ending the Chiefs’ playoff hopes. Rehab reports have been positive, with a potential Week 1 return possible.
In camp, they will monitor his participation in practice, movement in and out of the pocket, and snap-count limitations. That said, the Chiefs bolstered the defense and added Kenneth Walker III, but Mahomes’ full health is the key to returning to contention. Any setbacks would be season-altering.
Atlanta Falcons QB situation: Michael Penix Jr. vs. Tua Tagovailoa
New head coach Kevin Stefanski inherits a messy situation. Penix is recovering from a serious knee injury that ended his 2025 season early, while the Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa as a bridge/competition due to the lack of quarterback talent in free agency.
Camp will reveal Penix’s mobility and readiness timeline versus Tua’s health and fit within Stefanski’s scheme. Neither is a long-term lock, making the QB1 spot potentially available even heading into the 2027 off-season. That said, whoever earns the QB1 spot for the 2026 season, the Falcons have an uphill battle in the NFC South.
Cleveland Browns QB battle: Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson
The Browns’ quarterback carousel continues under new head coach Todd Monken. Shedeur Sanders (2025 fifth-round pick) has been inconsistent since his arrival but recently led first-team drills in OTAs/minicamp, while Watson (final year of his massive deal) competes for the job. Dillon Gabriel is also in the mix.
Camp reps and preseason performances will decide who starts Week 1. Sanders appears to have momentum as the developmental piece the organization wants to evaluate, but Watson’s experience keeps it competitive.
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud’s bounce-back with upgraded protection
After an up-and-down start to the 2025 season, the Texans finished the regular season strong, ending on a nine-game win streak, then getting bounced in the Divisional Round. Throughout the course, one major disadvantage was the protection for their franchise quarterback.
Stroud finally gets help with a revamped offensive line (Keylan Rutledge, Braden Smith, Wyatt Teller) and a run game (the trade for David Montgomery). The Texans invested heavily to create balance on offense. Improved protection and a consistent ground game should reduce sacks and negative plays, allowing Stroud to rebound statistically, be more comfortable in the pocket, and lead Houston back to the playoffs.