NFL Training Camp Roundup: Why the Cowboys’ offence could be really fun this year

Thursday brings us one step closer to the 2023 NFL season, with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns meeting for the Hall of Fame game — and with it, the beginning of pre-season action.

With all 32 teams deep into training camps and preparing for their own on-field debuts starting next week, it’s also a good time to check in on some of the buzz from camps around the league.

Last week was filled with player arrivals as veterans reported to their respective camps and full-team practices got underway. With that came some big news items, like the New York Giants’ signing of Saquon Barkley to a one-year deal, some harsh words from Sean Payton directed to Nathaniel Hackett’s messy year in Denver, growing tension between the Indianapolis Colts and their star RB Jonathan Taylor and a huge blow to the Dolphins’ defence.

With several storylines swirling across every single market, we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting news, notes and questions from camps around the NFL over the past few days. 

Who steps up in Denver after Patrick’s season-ending injury?

For the second straight year, Denver Broncos receiver Tim Patrick’s season is over before it could begin. The 29-year-old was officially ruled out earlier this week after the team confirmed he’d torn his Achilles tendon during practice.

Patrick was also sidelined the entire 2022 season with the Broncos after he suffered a similar fate at last year’s camp when he sustained an ACL injury. Losing the six-foot-four receiver puts more pressure once again on the top receiving duo of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton while opening the door for rookie Marvin Mims Jr. or free agency signing Marquez Callaway to step into a larger role, especially considering the waiving of KJ Hamler earlier this week. Both players bring some intrigue: Mims has been turning heads at camp as a speedy, dynamic option in the slot while Callaway is a familiar weapon for new Broncos head coach Sean Payton from his time in New Orleans.

Jets and Broncos have us circling Week 5

It’s the revenge game we didn’t know we needed… until Sean Payton fired verbal shots cross-country at former Broncos head coach — now Jets offensive coordinator — Nathaniel Hackett, that is.

Payton made headlines last week when he called Hackett’s season at the helm of the 2022 Broncos “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” Several Jets — including Aaron Rodgers, who called Payton insecure and said he should “keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth” — jumped to the defence of Hackett. Hackett himself spoke up this week, too:

It’s all been a strange storyline that’s only increased the pressure on both clubs and stirred up plenty of emotions most parties would prefer to put in the past, and the topic resurfaces each time another member of the Jets brings it up — like receiver Allen Lazard, whose endorsement of Hackett gave us a weird window into Jets practices… and perhaps a preview of an upcoming Hard Knocks scene?

The two sides meet in Week 5 for a game that just got a whole lot more interesting.

Is Dalvin Cook a Jet yet?

The short answer is no. The long answer is… well, it’s pretty confusing. Cook visited the Jets during practice over the weekend, but with a deal still not done with the former Viking, it’s worth wondering whether the two sides will actually come together.

The Miami native is reported to be interested in the Dolphins, too, but it remains unclear whether that interest is reciprocal.

The wait continues.

Lamb sings Prescott’s praise (and Cowboys’ offence could be really fun this year)

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb has been adding to his highlight reel early in training camp, wowing fans with diving catches and one-handed grabs during practice.

Off the field, he’s been busy hyping up the man delivering those throws. During an appearance on radio station 105.3 The FAN earlier this week, Lamb said Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is "looking for the deep ball now" and issued a warning to defenders:

"If you’re not gonna back up, this is a warning to everybody, if you’re not gonna back up, good luck,” Lamb said.

Plagued by too many interceptions and a lack of receiving weapons last season, Prescott should be pretty happy about Dallas’ outlook this year — most notably, the addition of Brandin Cooks and a clean bill of health for Michael Gallup who last year was still dealing with lingering issues from a knee injury. Cooks presents a dangerous dilemma for defenders as a deep threat, freeing up Lamb to work his magic midfield — and causing secondaries to think twice about who to double-coverage every down.

While Lamb is raising up his QB, not everyone’s been praising Prescott. Cornerback Trevon Diggs had some choice words for No. 4, though clarified later that it was all in the name of good competition and good old-fashioned training camp trash talk. 

Post-punch, Kelce keeping things light at camp

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce made headlines over the weekend when he punched teammate Jack Cochrane after he felt the defender came in with a late hit on a touchdown catch. He addressed the incident with a tweet later on.

The mood was decidedly lighter on Wednesday when Travis appeared on Inside Training Camp equipped with all kinds of enthusiasm — and also, yes, a moustache. Kelce (a.k.a., “El Travidor” as he called himself) said the whiskers are his way of paying tribute to his head coach (and year-round moustache-sporter) Andy Reid.

A little laughter could be just the ticket right now for the reigning Super Bowl champs, who continue to be without the top defender in Chris Jones amid an ongoing contract dispute. Jones has yet to report to camp, and news of negotiations has been pretty quiet.

Another story to watch in Kansas City is how they once again face some adjustments at the wide receiver position following the departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots) and an injury to Kadarius Toney. That sets the stage for second-year receiver Skyy Moore to step up, which Kelce noted during his interview.

"He's kind of stood out in terms of the accountability with 19 kind of going down early," Kelce said of Moore. "He's getting a lot more reps in practice."

Of fellow second-year receiver Justyn Ross, Kelce said this: "You saw J-Ross out there making some plays deep today. So, we're excited about some of the emerging talent that we got on the offensive side."

Mayfield’s got the edge, but Trask tightening up QB competition

It’s too soon to call Baker Mayfield Tom Brady’s successor in Tampa Bay. Asked about the club’s burgeoning quarterback competition on Thursday, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales said Trask has “absolutely” tightened up the race.

"It has been good,” Canales told reporters, later also adding a warning not to count out third-stringer John Wolford. “The first couple of days, the experience that Baker brings just playing in games, being in camps, going through installs, you can see where the offence was gelling really well.

“I am really excited about both of those guys and the progression that they have made throughout the last couple of days."

This goes along with what Bucs' Jason Licht said at the start of camp:

“One thing I’m looking forward to is, this is really the first time since I’ve been here, and I’m going on Year 10, of a true quarterback competition,” Licht said, via the club’s website. “One thing I’m looking forward to is just how hyper-focused we’re going to be in those practices here at the beginning of camp for the first few weeks, at least. Just to see who takes the next step forward.”

This isn’t the first time Mayfield finds himself battling for the starting gig with a new team at camp. He won the No. 1 role last year in Carolina, but injuries ultimately held him back. A brief but thrilling stint with the Rams earned him plenty of notice at the end of the season, and in March Mayfield signed a one-year deal with Tampa. He now has a huge opportunity ahead of him to revive his career if he plays his cards right.

Speaking of QB competitions, let’s check in on things in San Francisco…

Shanahan not worried about ‘real deal’ Purdy’s progress

A scary moment on Monday, when 49ers defensive end Clelin Ferrell hit quarterback Brock Purdy’s hand during a rush at practice. Kyle Shanahan’s response?

“I had to hold my breath so I didn't lose my mind,” he told reporters Thursday. Purdy, of course, ended his season in the NFC Championship when he suffered a serious elbow injury. He needed surgery and a long rehab stint to return, and is still being eased into the action at camp.

Purdy’s status as starter doesn’t really appear to be in question, though. The 49ers’ QB room is certainly intriguing, with Trey Lance and Sam Darnold also in the mix. Asked about Purdy’s status and comfort post-injury, Shanahan was all confidence:

“I don't think anyone's back to where they were exactly last season. We're going through training camp, a lot of guys had more practices than him, but we only had six in OTAs. But he'll get there. He's doing some good things. They're all doing some good, all doing some bad. But we're not worried about Brock. Brock's the real deal. He knows how to play and we’ve just got to have our team keep getting better and he'll keep getting better as we go.”

Wait, is that Jimmy Graham?

In case you missed the news last week, veteran tight end Jimmy Graham is back in New Orleans after signing a one-year veteran-minimum pact with his old squad last week.

And to clarify, he’s back as an actual player… not a coach, as Tyrann Mathieu first thought when he saw the 36-year-old show up to camp.

Graham didn’t play last year and appeared to be done playing football. Best known for his big red zone presence over five seasons in New Orleans, Graham was traded to Seattle in 2015 and spent three years with the Seahawks, two in Green Bay, and two in Chicago.