You tell us: What’s your biggest concern as an NFL fan heading into training camp?
Sound off on your team’s biggest biggest concern entering training camp in the comments.
The Fourth of July is behind us and, other than a scary incident for Najee Harris, it looks as if the next big development on the NFL calendar is the start of training camp.
Which means it is a perfect time to take stock of where each team is before the festivities get underway.
We’re looking at the biggest worry we have for each of our teams heading into training camp, but we want to hear yours as well. Sound off in the comments!
What if Drake Maye does not take “the step?”
The New England Patriots dipped back into the rookie quarterback pool at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft, a few years after making Mac Jones the 15th-overall selection in 2021. They selected UNC passer Drake Maye, making him the third QB off the board after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.
While playing behind an offensive line that struggled to protect him, and on a roster desperately in need of reinforcements, Maye showed promise last year, giving Patriots fans hope that he could take a big step forward in 2025 and beyond.
But ... what if that does not materialize?
We often expect young quarterbacks to take a big step forward in Year Two, but development is not linear. Patriots fans might believe the team did enough around him to help this season, but what if the roster does not gel the right way? Yes New England added some experience to the sidelines in Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, but is Vrabel the right head coach for Maye, and is McDaniels the best OC option for the young passer?
This should all be okay for Patriots fans.
But what if it isn’t? — Mark Schofield
Chicago Bears offensive line depth
The Chicago Bears can claim an NFL offseason championship for the third straight year. The Bears hired the top candidate on the coaching carousel by prying away Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and then they beefed up their dire offensive with with three new starters in the middle. The Bears invested to give QB Caleb Williams the support he needs heading into his second season, but the lack of depth on the offensive line is real cause for concern as the team enters training camp. Rookie second round pick Ozzy Trapilo will be the first tackle off the bench for Chicago, while Ryan Bates and Bill Murray — holdovers from last year’s team — will backup the interior. Williams was sacked an NFL-high 68 times in his rookie season, and the Bears really don’t want to see anything like that ever again. The Bears did good work by improving the line over the offseason, but there’s still trouble ahead if injuries hit. — Ricky O’Donnell
Bryce Young’s jump was a fluke
What Bryce Young did to close out the 2024 NFL season was nothing short of miraculous. In the final four weeks he threw for 831 yards with 65.5% completion, 8 TD and 2 INT. It was one of the best comeback stories of the season, and Panthers fans like me were legitimately upset the season ended while Bryce was on such a role.
In 2025 he has even fewer excuses to get out to a hot start. The offense is almost identical, but the team added Tetairoa McMillan through the draft and Rico Dowdle in free agency. The offensive line remains one of the more underrated units in the league, and the running backs are locked. With a year inside the Dave Canales system this should be a breakout year for the Panthers, at least offensively.
But ... what if it’s not? There’s a lingering concern in the back of my mind that Young’s phenomenal close to 2024 was a moment frozen in time, a neat subplot to an otherwise horrible season. If Bryce doesn’t turn out to be “the guy” then I have absolutely no idea what this franchise becomes why having to retool again and find a quarterback. I just want the QB ride to be over. It’s gone on since Cam Newton left, and I need some surety at the position — at least for a little while. — James Dator
Any kind of direction, clarify at QB for Browns
Being a Cleveland Browns fan can be tough but after having some hope with Baker Mayfield and the strange “Flacco Fever” run to the playoffs, the trade for Deshaun Watson (along with his contract and play) has harpooned the fanbase worse than any losing season, including 0-16, ever has.
The 2025 season seems like a soft reboot for a roster that has a lot of talent but has lost its way over the last few seasons. The biggest issue remains at the quarterback position where a 17 year vet (Joe Flacco), a failed first round pick on his third team in four years (Kenny Pickett), a late third round pick (Dillon Gabriel) and a fifth round pick (Shedeur Sanders) are all the fans have to hang their hopes on.
The biggest concern is that Cleveland doesn’t find magic with Pickett, Gabriel or Sanders but wins enough games with Flacco to move too far down in the 2026 NFL draft to get the quarterback of their choosing. Browns fans need clarity of good quality from one of the three younger quarterbacks or the team to be bad enough, along with the extra 1st round pick they have in 2026, to make sure they get the quarterback in next year’s draft.
Some direction, somehow. Is that too much to ask? — Jared Mueller
The Jaguars’ offensive line spending not being enough
The Jacksonville Jaguars took the approach of smaller, calculated signings along the offensive line rather than big splashes. Patrick Mekari comes over from Baltimore, Robert Hainesy follows Liam Coen from Tampa Bay and then depth guys like Fred Johnson and Chuma Edoga come from the Eagles and Cowboys, respectively. My biggest concern going into camp is that the smaller signings up front simply aren’t enough. The Jaguars are banking on more growth from tackles Walker Little and Anton Harrison, both of whom have been let down by poor coaching at this point in their careers. The development of the offensive line has constantly gotten worse, and Coen is making the bet on their coaching being the thing that gets this unit over the hump.
If the offensive line gels together, there’s no reason why this offense can’t be great. A healthy year from QB Trevor Lawrence, a receiver group that is uber talented being led by a playcaller who helped Tampa Bay become one of the most explosive offenses in the league doesn’t seem that far fetched. However, games are won and lost up front, and if the Jaguars’ OL unit doesn’t shake out well, it could be a long year. — J.P. Acosta