Full Breakdown
2026 NFL Training Camp: Position Battles Across Key Teams
6/24/2026, 8:05:43 AM
Training Camp Schedule
The NFL’s organized team activities have concluded, and training camps open in late July. The Seattle Seahawks begin rookie sessions on July 17 and veteran sessions on July 24. The San Francisco 49ers start rookies on July 18 and veterans on July 25. The Tennessee Titans held a mandatory minicamp on June 17 and will report to camp in late July. The Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders also convene in late July, with the Raiders’ camp slated for “next month.”
Notable Position Battles
Seattle Seahawks – Safety Competition
With Coby Bryant departing for Chicago, the Seahawks’ secondary hinges on the contest between incumbent Ty Okada and second-round rookie Bud Clark. Okada logged 501 coverage snaps last season, allowing 23 catches on 35 targets for 281 yards and three touchdowns, plus 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and six passes defended. Clark entered the NFL with 215 college tackles, 20 passes defended, 15 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers – Wide Receiver Depth
Mike Evans is projected to deliver 75 receptions and 1,000 yards when healthy, anchoring the receiver corps. Competing for the WR2 slot are first-round pick Ricky Pearsall—who posted 31 and 36 receptions in recent seasons, topped 500 yards last year but recorded no touchdowns—and veteran Christian Kirk, who posted 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022 after a 77-reception, 982-yard, five-TD season in 2021. The 33rd-overall pick De’Zhaun Stribling, described as a 6-foot-2, 207-pound prospect with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, also vies for a prominent role.
Carolina Panthers – Potential Return of Yetur-Gross Matos
The Panthers could re-sign defensive end Yetur-Gross Matos, a 2020 second-round pick who recorded 142 tackles, 13.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and four recoveries over 55 games in his first four seasons. After two years with the 49ers (four sacks in 19 games), Matos is cited as a possible temporary replacement for the injured Tershawn Wharton and a depth-flex option on the edge.
Las Vegas Raiders – Defensive Tackle Contention
Rob Leonard’s aggressive 3-4 variation demands interior pressure, prompting a four-way battle. Jonah Laulu (6-foot-5, 289 lb) offers power and spin-move agility. Adam Butler contributes 50 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. Thomas Booker IV, despite a smaller frame, logged 44 tackles, five passes defended, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a recovery. Rookie Tonka Hemingway posted nine tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks and a fumble recovery in 192 snaps as a rookie.
Tennessee Titans – Quarterback, Running Back, and Guard Decisions
The Titans must trim to 53 players. At quarterback, veteran Mitchell Trubisky is the frontrunner for the backup role, with former starter Will Levis as a secondary option; former Volunteer Hendon Hooker, hampered by a 2022 ACL tear and limited NFL production, is projected to be cut. Running back depth features starters Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, rookie fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton, and veteran Kalel Mullings, who competes with Michael Carter and special-teams specialist Julius Chestnut. Right guard Cordell Volson, on a one-year deal, faces challenges from second-year guard Jackson Slater and rookie Pat Coogan, reflecting the Titans’ youth-focused rebuilding strategy.
Data & Statistics
- Okada: 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception.
- Clark: 215 college tackles, 15 interceptions.
- Evans: projected 75 receptions, 1,000 yards.
- Pearsall: 31 / 36 receptions, >500 yards, 0 TDs.
- Kirk: 84 receptions, 1,108 yards, 8 TDs (2022).
- Matos: 142 tackles, 13.0 sacks (Panthers); 4.0 sacks (49ers).
- Butler: 50 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack.
- Booker: 44 tackles, 5 passes defended.
- Hemingway: 4 sacks in 192 snaps.
Criticism & Opposition
The 49ers’ selection of Stribling sparked debate: some analysts argued the team “reached” at No. 33, while others praised the move as pre-emptive. Commentary on the Raiders notes that interior defensive-tackle impact is often undervalued despite its importance to Leonard’s scheme. Titans observers highlight the organization’s willingness to prioritize younger players over established veterans in key roster spots.
Implications for Teams
These position battles will determine depth, scheme fit, and overall competitiveness for the 2026 season. Successful integration of emerging talent could offset departures and injuries, while unresolved contests may force late-season roster adjustments.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The source material presents a consistent set of statistics and assessments; no direct contradictions were identified, and no additional contextual information (e.g., contract details) was provided.
