NFL Training Camps 2026 Schedule and Top Storylines to Watch

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 1 of 3| 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 2 of 3Not 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 3 of 3Fans 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.

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.