NEW YORK — The NFL roars back to life as training camps kick off across the league, signaling the start of the 2025 season. With rookies and veterans reporting this week, teams are gearing up for a grueling preseason that will shape rosters and set the stage for the regular season. From key dates and team sites to the Hall of Fame Game and critical position battles, here’s everything you need to know to follow the action. It’s NFL Training Camp time! Happy New Year!
Training Camp Sites and Report Dates
The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions lead the charge, with rookies reporting on July 12 and 16, respectively, and veterans on July 16 (Chargers) and July 19 (Lions), due to their participation in the Hall of Fame Game. Most teams welcome rookies and veterans between July 18 and July 23, with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers closing the window on July 23. Notable sites include the Dallas Cowboys at Staybridge Suites in Oxnard, California, and the Kansas City Chiefs at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. Most teams, like the Cleveland Browns at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio, and the Chicago Bears at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois, train at their home facilities.
Hall of Fame Game: Date and How to Watch
The 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game pits the Chargers against the Lions on July 31 at 8 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Fans can catch the game live on NBC or stream it via services like YouTube TV or Fubo TV. This annual kickoff, featuring four inductees—CB Eric Allen, DE Jared Allen, WR Sterling Sharpe, and TE Antonio Gates—offers an early glimpse of team dynamics, with both squads playing four preseason games, unlike the standard three for others.
How to Follow Training Camp
Fans can stay locked in through multiple channels. NFL Network kicks off live coverage on July 26 at 9 a.m. ET, delivering 17 hours of practice footage, player interviews, and fanfest highlights over two days. ESPN joins in with a three-hour special at 9 a.m. ET and a two-hour ABC broadcast at 1 p.m. ET on July 26. NFL Network’s “Inside Training Camp” runs daily from July 28 to August 6, offering in-depth analysis. Social media platforms like X provide real-time updates from beat reporters and teams, while NFL+ streams select preseason games. For an unfiltered view, “Hard Knocks” will spotlight the Buffalo Bills, diving into their camp dynamics.
Key Battles to Watch
Position battles will dominate headlines, none more intriguing than the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition. With Deshaun Watson sidelined by an Achilles tear, 40-year-old Joe Flacco, journeyman Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders vie for the starting role. Pickett holds a slight edge, but Sanders, a fifth-round steal, could surprise if he shines in camp. Flacco’s experience makes him a safe bet, while Gabriel’s mobility adds intrigue. The outcome will shape Cleveland’s season, especially with a revamped defense led by Myles Garrett.
Elsewhere, the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback duel between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones heats up. Richardson, recovering from a shoulder injury, faces pressure to prove his 2023 first-round billing, while Jones, a free-agent addition, leverages his experience. In New Orleans, the Saints’ quarterback race—featuring Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie Tyler Shough—remains wide open after Derek Carr’s retirement. Rookie Travis Hunter’s two-way role with the Jacksonville Jaguars and J.J. McCarthy’s debut for the Minnesota Vikings also demand attention.
Coaches on the Hot Seat
Several coaches face intense scrutiny. Indianapolis Colts’ Shane Steichen must deliver with a talented roster, but ownership changes and Richardson’s health cloud his future. Dallas Cowboys’ new head coach, following Mike McCarthy’s departure, inherits a talented squad but faces pressure after playoff disappointments, with owner Jerry Jones’ public spat with star Micah Parsons adding fuel. Cincinnati Bengals’ Zac Taylor contends with Trey Hendrickson’s contract holdout, which could disrupt team chemistry. New Orleans’ Kellen Moore, a first-time head coach, navigates a salary-cap-strapped roster and quarterback uncertainty, making early wins critical.
Preseason and Joint Practices
The preseason begins August 7, concluding August 24, with roster cuts due by August 26 at 4 p.m. ET. Twenty-nine teams engage in 24 joint practices, with August 13 hosting five, including regional clashes like Jets vs. Giants and Rams vs. Chargers. The Browns, Dolphins, and Titans each schedule two joint practices, offering competitive tests. These sessions, alongside intrasquad scrimmages, help coaches evaluate rookies, veterans, and bubble players vying for the 53-man roster.
Storylines to Track
Beyond battles, injuries loom large. Colts’ Richardson and Jets’ Jermaine Johnson, recovering from an Achilles tear, face critical camps to regain form. Rookies like Tennessee’s Cam Ward and Chicago’s Caleb Williams, under new coach Ben Johnson, aim to prove their draft hype. Contract disputes, like Hendrickson’s in Cincinnati and Parsons’ in Dallas, could disrupt preparations. The Lions, fueled by David Montgomery’s “year of reckoning” mantra, seek to build on recent playoff runs.
As camps unfold, the NFL’s 2025 narrative takes shape. From quarterback showdowns to coaching pressure, the next few weeks will set the tone for a thrilling season. Tune in, follow along, and brace for surprises as the road to Super Bowl 60 begins.
In case you missed it, Jerry Jones took a shot at Cowboys star players on Monday. Why? Well, you’ll have to ask Jerry Jones.
The full NFL training camp schedule can be viewed here.
