2026 NFL training camp previews, projections for all 32 teams - ESPN

NFL Nation Jul 23, 2026, 06:29 AM ET

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NFL training camp is finally here. After an offseason of roster turnover and coaching musical chairs, all 32 teams are looking to put in work as they start their quest to win Super Bowl LXI.

The defending champion Seattle Seahawks were the first to open camp as the rookies reported July 17. The Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX to open the 2026 season on Wednesday, Sept. 9 ( 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ).

But before that, there are plenty of position battles to be settled, injuries to return from, and coaches and players acclimating themselves to new teams. Our NFL Nation reporters preview everything you should be watching as training camp begins -- and have also projected what each 53-man roster might look like five weeks from now.

Let's start with the biggest storyline for each team:

ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN

CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND

JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN

NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF

Biggest storyline: How will the transition to Jim Leonhard's defense unfold? Amid all of the changes the Bills faced this offseason, no part of the team was more impacted than the defense. The unit is going from Sean McDermott's scheme from the past nine seasons to Leonhard's. The defensive coordinator will bring a 3-4 base (a shift from McDermott's 4-3) along with a variety of other changes. -- Alaina Getzenberg

Read Bills training camp preview, 53-man roster projection

Biggest storyline: How big of a role will this draft class play right away? The Dolphins dealt multiple veterans for draft picks this offseason, as new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan sought to restock the team's young foundational depth. Players such as first-round picks Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson, and third-round pick Will Kacmarek will start right away -- but what about players such as second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez, third-round picks Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, and fourth-round pick Kyle Louis? Miami's lack of both depth and starting-caliber talent should pave a route to early playing time for several rookies this season, especially in an obvious rebuilding season. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Read Dolphins training camp preview, 53-man roster projection

Biggest storyline: Is there a contract resolution with cornerback Christian Gonzalez? Eligible for an extension for the first time in his career, the 2025 Pro Bowler wasn't present for the majority of the voluntary offseason program and participated in only the walk-through/low-tempo portions of mandatory minicamp. Asked June 9 if he would play this season without a new contract, he said, "We got a long time to the season." That timeline has been condensed. The Patriots ideally don't want the situation to linger into training camp, but is there a compromise to be reached? -- Mike Reiss

Read Patriots training camp preview, 53-man roster projection

Biggest storyline: Which version of Geno Smith are the Jets getting? Smith was a disappointment for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, finishing 27th in QBR and leading the NFL with 17 interceptions. The Jets acquired him as their bridge QB, betting he can be the 2022-23 version of himself. In those years, his TD-INT ratio was an impressive 50-22 for the Seattle Seahawks. He's a gunslinger and will push the ball downfield, which should create more chunk plays than last season. Pass protection is key; Smith's decision-making suffers greatly when he's under pressure. No one expects a Pro Bowl year from Smith, 35, but if he can be an average QB by NFL standards, it'll be a win for the Jets. -- Rich Cimini

Read Jets training camp preview, 53-man roster projection