The NFL offseason is basically over with training camps coming up on the schedule and by the start of next month all 32 teams will be in action at their respective camp locations and in just over two weeks the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings will be two of the first teams to open camp, as they are playing in the Hall of Fame game.
The first game of the regular season is on September 10 and training camps will start opening up in a couple weeks for most teams. The Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns have rookies reporting on July 22 and soon after that nearly every team will be in action in camp. The Steelers and Vikings are playing in the Hall of Fame game this season and both teams have intriguing storylines to watch out for.
The Vikings were in the spotlight for most of the offseason with the Adrian Peterson situation and he will be center of attention once again. Peterson is expected to take over the starting job once again ahead of Jerick McKinnon and he reportedly looked strong in offseason workouts. The Steelers just signed Ben Roethlisberger to an extension and the team has as much depth and skill as any team in the AFC on offense. The defense will try and keep up this year after a couple down seasons and that will be a unit to watch.
Many teams opt to hold training camp at their own facilities close to home nowadays rather than travel, which is a big change from only a few years ago. The Arizona Cardinals will be in Glendale starting on July 31 for the veterans, while the Falcons will be in Flowery Branch starting on July 30 for the rookies and veterans. The Ravens are one of the early teams for rookie and vets will be there on July 29.
The Bills will be working out in Rochester and they also have a joint practice scheduled with the Cleveland Browns in August. The Dallas Cowboys hold training camp out in Oxnard in California and the team has rookies and veterans showing up on July 29. The team will have a joint practice with the St. Louis Rams. The Patriots are holding camp at home and they open on July 29 for veterans and will also have a joint practice with the Saints.
