Is there reason to doubt Tom Brady’s commitment? This and other questions await answers in the NFL’s mandatory offseason practices
Twelve teams open their three-day minicamps this week, with 18 more to follow next week. The Miami Dolphins had their minicamp last week, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals will not have minicamp this year.
Teams have already begun holding their organized team activities sessions, but the mandatory minicamp marks the first time many veterans will take the practice field since the end of last season, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who retired and came out of retirement within a period of 40 days. It also includes some players who joined new teams in an offseason frenzy. The attendance list will be another topic to watch, with a handful of players threatening boycotts as they fight for new contracts.
What do you need to know about this week’s activities? We asked our NFL Nation reporters to take a look at this week’s minicamps to tell us what’s the most important topic to watch.
It will be interesting to see how the quarterback Jared Goff it can be combined in its second year with its offensive weapons. The Lions added former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark, and Goff has second-year wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end T. J. Hockenson and versatile runner D’Andre Swift as main options. Detroit’s front office showed its confidence in Goff by not drafting a quarterback despite his Total QBR of 33 and a 3-13-1 record in 2021. Eyes will be on Goff from the start. –Eric Woodyard
how the quarterback Aaron Rodgers will connect with your new receivers? Assuming Rodgers shows up to minicamp — she said previously that she planned to — and participates, it will be the best time to date for her to work extensively with the second-round pick. christian watsonthe fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs and the seventh round recruit Samori Touré. Rodgers’ favorite target is gone, Dave Adamsand his best deep aim, Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Watson said shortly after the draft that Rodgers called to congratulate him and said, “He wanted to make sure I knew he was aware, and when he got to the complex it was time to work.” –Rob Demovsky
The veteran quarterback matt ryan he’s the focal point of the Colts’ minicamp, as he’s in line to become the sixth different Week 1 starter since 2017. He takes on an offense that lost its right guard (Mark Glowinski) and left tackle (Eric Fisher), and currently does not have the reliable receiver T.Y. Hilton (free agent). What Ryan has going for him is last season’s leading rusher in the NFL, Jonathan Taylor (1,811 yards). The defense went through something of a cleanup this offseason, and Gus Bradley is the new coordinator. The Colts also acquired the cornerback Stephen Gilmore and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to join the veterans Darius Leonard, DeForest Buckner Y Kwity Paye in a unit facing a tough AFC West and New England next season. –Mike Wells
Will the quarterback throw matthew stafford during minicamp? The Super Bowl-winning quarterback told reporters last month that he didn’t know if he would throw passes at minicamp or wait until training camp after receiving an injection in his left elbow during the offseason. While Stafford has a lot of familiar faces among his receivers — and plenty of chemistry there — the Rams did add the wide receiver. Allen Robinson II in the campaign break. –Sarah Barshop
The connection Derek Carr-Davante Adams is worth keeping a close eye on. The two set fire to the Mountain West Conference standings with Fresno State in 2013, and after Adams was acquired in the offseason in a bombastic trade with the Packers, the reunion is a reality. The installation of coach Josh McDaniels’ offense is in its infancy, but it will be paramount to see how advanced the chemistry between Carr and Adams is. –Paul Gutierrez
Everyone wants to see how the Vikings will use the tight end. Irv Smith Jr.., but he is not expected to be released for a full practice while he continues to rehab from a right knee injury. Another item to watch is how the Vikings use their three talented safeties — veteran harrison smiththe second year player camryn bynumand first-round rookie Lewis Cinema. Coaches have suggested that all three could be on the field at the same time – is that even possible? And under what circumstances? –Kevin Seifert
Who seems to be leading the offensive assistants? Joe Judge works with the quarterbacks and Matt Patricia is with the offensive line, but playcalling is yet to be determined. That could ultimately be a factor in determining the kind of jump the quarterback can make. mac jones in its second season. A defensive plot to note: Who lines up at inside linebacker now that Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins are no longer with the team? –Mike Reiss
It will be interesting to take a long look at the evolution of the Giants’ offense under coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. The hope is that the pair will help give the quarterback Daniel Jones an opportunity. You don’t expect a lot of his guns (wide receivers Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay Y Kadarius Toney) participate due to injuries, but Jones still has the running back Saquon Barkleysecond-round catcher Wan’Dale Robinson and the veteran darius slayton to work. That should be enough to see if he’s making any progress leading the offense that finished 31st last year. –Jordan Raanan
What else other than quarterbacks? This battle is just beginning. Mitch Trubisky took first-team reps throughout organized team activities, followed by Mason Rudolf with the second unit, and the first round recruit Kenny Pickett with the third. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the Steelers will put all three in game situations throughout the offseason to determine their next starting quarterback. –Brooke Pryor
The 49ers didn’t have a minicamp last year, but this time it offers the quarterback Trey Lance one more chance to guide the starting offense before the Niners say goodbye for the summer. All signs point to this being Lance’s long-term job now, but consider this an opportunity for him to grab some time before officially taking over the reins when training camp rolls around in July. — Nick Wagoner
The quarterback competition between Gene Smith Y Drew Lock will start to intensify with the off-season program leaving behind the voluntary phase. But, the two quarterbacks trying to take the place of Russell Wilson they could continue without being able to launch D. K. Metcalf early. The star wide receiver is recovering from foot surgery and awaiting a new contract, so it remains to be seen how much — at best — he can do during minicamp. — Brady Henderson
Is quarterback Tom Brady committed for 2022? In an interview with TNT during a golf event called “The Match,” Brady discussed his commitment to football, his family and his outside interests. “You know, at this point, it’s like 55 percent yes and 45 percent no. It’s not 100-0. It’s just reality,” Brady said. “It’s not that I’m not 100 percent committed, it’s that as soon as I make the commitment to do it, it’s like, ‘Ugh. Here we go again.'” Brady added that once he made the decision, he was “100 percent committed.” But what kind of Brady will we see at minicamp? — Jenna Laine
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NFL: plots to follow for the 12 teams that start mandatory minicamps