Full Breakdown
2026 NFL Training Camps Begin Across the League
7/22/2026, 4:49:33 AM
Training Camp Launch and Early-Season Schedule
All 32 NFL franchises have reported to their summer facilities, marking the start of the 2026 training-camp period. The league’s preseason will open with the Hall of Fame Game in early August, followed by a Super Bowl-rematch between the reigning champions and the New England Patriots that will kick off the regular season in early September. The first regular-season contest will be staged in Australia in early September, and Super Bowl 61 is slated for mid-February in Los Angeles.
Coaching Carousel and New Leadership
According to the Associated Press, ten teams entered the offseason with new head coaches. First-time head coaches include Mike LaFleur in Arizona, Jeff Hafley in Miami, Joe Brady in Buffalo, Todd Monken in Cleveland, Jesse Minter in Baltimore, and several others. Veteran coaches returning to familiar roles are John Harbaugh with the New York Giants, Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta, and Robert Saleh in Tennessee. Former NFL greats also reshuffled: Mike McCarthy reunited with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, while Klint Kubiak joined the Las Vegas Raiders’ staff.
Player Movements and Quarterback Contests
The offseason saw notable player relocations. Kyler Murray left Arizona for the Minnesota Vikings, where he will compete with rookie J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. Kirk Cousins is slated to start for the Raiders, though first-round pick Fernando Mendoza could see early action. In Atlanta, Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix will battle for the quarterback position, while Deshaun Watson returns to the Browns to vie with Shedeur Sanders. Malik Willis secured a $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins, and Geno Smith returned to the Jets.
Operational Details and Season Outlook
The NFL caps training-camp rosters at 90 players, a limit that also applies to preseason games, according to league guidelines reported by the Associated Press. Most teams are using joint practice sessions to ready quarterbacks and key starters, with the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers opting out of such drills. With numerous coaching changes, quarterback competitions, and high-value contracts, the league heads into a season where many franchises hope to resolve lingering questions before the first regular-season snap.
