Kansas City is accustomed to being the epicenter of the NFL universe during the postseason.
But during the preseason? That’s a new development for the Chiefs.
While several starting quarterbacks are expected to be cleared to start training camp after suffering season-ending injuries, only one is a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion. Apologies to Daniel Jones (Colts), Bo Nix (Broncos) and Jayden Daniels (Commanders), but there is only one Patrick Mahomes.
After suffering a torn ACL and LCL in December, Mahomes’ goal is to play Week 1. So, Mahomes’ day-to-day involvement in practices — and how mobile he looks in the pocket — will create major news as the Chiefs look to squeeze more out of a dynasty that seemed to be on its last legs; the Chiefs were 6-8 even before his injury.
Mahomes, 30, could have a renewed chip on his shoulder too, as fewer NFL talent evaluators than in the past see him as the clear top quarterback in the league.
This could be the start of Mahomes’ final season throwing to his favorite target — newlywed Travis Kelce. And his next-favorite target, Rashee Rice, is expected back on the field after missing OTAs and minicamp while serving a 30-day jail sentence for a probation violation.
The Chiefs’ Plan B if Mahomes is not ready is journeyman Justin Fields.
Here are nine other storylines as NFL training camps get underway this week, beginning with Wednesday’s report date for the Panthers and Cardinals:
Will he or won’t he?
Ever since the all-in Rams traded for Myles Garrett, future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald has fed speculation about possibly coming out of retirement after two seasons away.
Donald reportedly isn’t looking for the half-season Roger Clemens Package.
If he returns, he wants to be part of the full ride (starting Saturday) and perform like his dominant self rather than a part-timer. That presumably means Donald would want to be paid top dollar, too, and that part could get sticky: He had one year left on a three-year, $95 million contract when he retired.
Farewell Tour
Love him or hate him, Aaron Rodgers is an NFL icon.
The retiring Rodgers begins his 22nd and final season by reuniting with his former Packers coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are transitioning after 19 years under Mike Tomlin. Rodgers could catch Peyton Manning for No. 3 on the all-time touchdown passes chart this season.
The battle in camp to be Rodgers’ backup is between Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. Can either Howard or Allar make a case to be his heir apparent?
QB1 battles
The three main battles are in Cleveland (Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders), Minnesota (Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy) and Atlanta (Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr.).
The situations for Murray and Tagovailoa are similar: Former Pro Bowlers looking to restart their careers for playoff hopefuls by beating out 2024 first-round picks who have been beset by injuries.
Watson hasn’t thrown for more than 1,200 yards or seven touchdowns since 2020 but is still eating up $40.9 million in salary cap space. Sanders is an ultra-confident lightning rod. And Dillon Gabriel — drafted two rounds ahead of Sanders in 2025 — already looks like the odd man out.
Mendoza Mania
Coaches every year vow to be patient with their rookie quarterbacks. They almost always give in to pressure.
When will No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza force first-year coach Klint Kubiak’s hand with the Raiders? He already got “a ton better” in his first month in the NFL.
Can placeholder Kirk Cousins — looking for redemption after his disastrous (but very lucrative) decision to leave the Vikings for the Falcons in 2024 — hold off Mendoza to get the Week 1 start?
Same faces, new places
A handful of former 1,000-yard receivers changed teams during the offseason and could have big impacts on the expectations for their quarterbacks: Welcome to an era of the Patriots’ A.J. Brown, Broncos’ Jaylen Waddle, Bills’ D.J. Moore and 49ers’ Mike Evans. Free agent Stefon Diggs looms as another difference-maker.
The Rams not only traded for Garrett but also added both Chiefs’ starting cornerbacks: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
The Bengals made a rare all-in trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence after losing edge Trey Hendrickson to the rival Ravens, who backed out of a trade for the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby.
Running back Kenneth Walker (Chiefs) became just the fourth Super Bowl MVP to change teams in the offseason after winning the honor.
Among Giants
Considering they have the second-worst record in the NFL since 2023, the Giants are generating an inordinate amount of summer buzz.
Why?
The arrival of Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh, a reunion between receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the team where he was once one of the NFL’s biggest stars to see if there is anything left in the injury-riddled tank after a season off, and the return from injury of viral running back Cam Skattebo (who should be ready for the start of camp) and receiver Malik Nabers (whose availability for Week 1 is more cloaked in mystery).
Contract standoffs
Which stars are willing to stage hold-ins — reporting to camp to avoid fines but sitting out practice with an “injury” — to gain leverage in their ongoing contract negotiations?
The list of candidates includes quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers), Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals) and Lamar Jackson (Ravens), running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) and Bijan Robinson (Falcons) in their quest for record-setting extensions, receivers Chris Olave (Saints) and Puka Nacua (Rams), pass rushers Josh Sweat (Cardinals) and Jalen Carter (Eagles), and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks).
Do your job
The motto long associated with the Patriots will be put to the test.
Head coach Mike Vravel must refocus the defending AFC champions after an offseason of distraction caused by the nature of his relationship with NFL reporter Dianna Russini and whether that has led to any in-house questioning of his decision-making ability, accountability and roster tampering.
Eagle eye
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is working with his seventh play-caller — first-timer Sean Mannion, who was a Seahawks backup quarterback in 2023 — in seven NFL seasons.
Hurts’ leadership, coachability and passing efficiency all have come under question just one season after winning Super Bowl MVP. With A.J. Brown out of the locker room, is Hurts going to flourish? Or find another scapegoat for the offense’s regression to Tush Push reliance?
It would help if Saquon Barkley showed summer explosion and flashes of his 2024 MVP-caliber form after a disappointing 2025. Eyes will be on the long-dominant Eagles offensive line without coach Jeff Stoutland too.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
