PHOTO USA At the moment Sports activities Photographs Typically adept at quoting sure Beastie Boys lyrics on postseason levels across the NFL, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce provides a poignant unique thought in regards to the league’s preseason.
“That is the place all of it begins,” Kelce stated. “That is the place you discover out what you’re manufactured from, the way you sharpen the iron, how your guys apply, your apply habits, the eye to element.”
Practices are underneath approach, and exhibition video games quickly will comply with as Thursday’s Corridor of Fame recreation between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans rings in a brand new slate of preseason tune-ups.
Listed here are 5 storylines to look at as time and two-a-days tick all the way down to the season opener on September 5.
Increasing the Kingdom
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions. Photograph supply: Getty Photographs Kelce’s quote above progressed to the thought that “no person does it higher” than Chiefs coach Andy Reid in the case of preseason preparation.
“Massive Crimson” might want to channel that monitor file anew as Kansas Metropolis prepares to develop into the primary membership in NFL historical past to win three consecutive Tremendous Bowls.
That problem presents a whopper all its personal, if not a Dave’s Triple, contemplating Reid’s endorsement loyalties to Wendy’s. Throw in the off-field turmoil the group has confronted (the Tremendous Bowl parade taking pictures, pending authorized challenges for receiver Rashee Rice, kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial graduation speech, et. al.), and the urgency mounts.
Good factor nothing has modified underneath middle, the place the Chiefs nonetheless make use of Patrick Mahomes.
Welcome to the NFL
Jul 27, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a go throughout Chicago Bears Coaching Camp at Halas Corridor. Necessary Credit score: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports activities A crew that hasn’t received the Tremendous Bowl in almost 40 years has unrealistic possibilities of returning there this season. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that the Chicago Bears count on a major bounceback from their current woeful methods as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams takes the reins.
Chicago wasted little time in naming Williams, the highest decide in April’s NFL Draft, its starter and has surrounded him with the sort of expertise that might swimsuit since-departed Justin Fields and most different QBs.
Jayden Daniels (Washington) and Bo Nix (Denver) seem entrenched in preseason quarterback battles, whereas Drake Maye (New England) and J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota) could have extra work to do to finally unseat veterans. There’s additionally the intrigue of Atlanta’s Michael Penix, chosen eighth total regardless of the crew’s huge offseason signing of Kirk Cousins.
Mr. Rodgers’ NYborhood
Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh (left) talks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (middle) earlier than the sport in opposition to the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities Expectations and drama the New York Jets have seldom seen in current seasons return with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose 2023 marketing campaign was restricted to 4 performs.
Rodgers’ accelerated restoration from a torn left Achilles could have introduced him again late final season had the Jets nonetheless been in playoff rivalry. Now, the 40-year-old Rodgers once more goals to rejuvenate the Jets of their quest for the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2010.
Rodgers won’t play within the preseason, so the remainder of the Jets should make up for his absence.
Bye-bye, Invoice
Invoice Belichick is not the pinnacle coach of the New England Patriots. Photograph supply: Getty Photographs Invoice Belichick’s presence on the Patriots’ sideline was once as automated as loss of life, taxes, and unique Rodgers journey locales.
No extra. New England fired Belichick after 24 seasons and promoted Jerod Mayo to go coach.
You may get your fill of Belichick as a broadcaster, although; he signed to function an analyst for the CW Community’s “Contained in the NFL.” How quickly earlier than he weighs in on the Patriots?
Going to the Jim
Jim Harbaugh is the brand new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. supply: Getty Photographs In an offseason that featured a number of head-coaching shifts, Jim Harbaugh arguably made the largest waves when he returned to the NFL after guiding Michigan to a Faculty Soccer Playoff championship.
He presumably can have no sign-stealing investigators on his tail with the Los Angeles Chargers, however there might be expectations for a crew led by QB Justin Herbert. Harbaugh final coached within the NFL in 2014 and by no means completed beneath .500 in 4 seasons in San Francisco.