NFL training camp notebook: Key storylines from early practices

With every NFL team officially in training camp, we're analyzing first impressions and the top storylines around the league.

Early read into the QB battles

Indianapolis Colts: Word coming out of Indianapolis is that neither Anthony Richardson nor Daniel Jones has taken a firm grasp of the QB1 job. They've both worked with the first-team offense but struggled to find consistency over the first couple of practices. But then Richardson put his best foot forward on Friday. As long as he can stay healthy, his ceiling is undoubtedly too high for Jones to reach.

Cleveland Browns: It's anyone's guess who will win this job. Kenny Pickett got all the first-team reps on the opening day, while Joe Flacco got none at all. However, Flacco split the first-team snaps with Pickett over the next couple of days. Dillon Gabriel got a brief look in first-team drills Friday, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, but he and Shedeur Sanders have otherwise been left with the scraps. It may be a fight between Pickett and Flacco right now, but the Browns aren't ruling out keeping all four quarterbacks on the main roster.

New York Giants: This was decided before it started: Brian Daboll opened camp by declaring Russell Wilson the starter, which shouldn't be surprising. While his ceiling is nowhere near what it once was, his floor figures to be higher than that of the erratic Jameis Winston and the unknown Jaxson Dart (more on the rookie below). And it seems like it didn't take Wilson long to build a rapport with star receiver Malik Nabers.

New Orleans Saints: According to reports, Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough have both had a taste of first-team reps. Shough hasn't made a breakthrough yet, though he did have a touchdown pass Thursday. The same goes for Rattler, who was picked off Thursday but had some success Wednesday.

Who's holding in or out?

Trey Hendrickson: Hendrickson is holding out of camp and has threatened to sit out for the entire 2025 season if he doesn't get a new deal. The problem reportedly is that the Bengals aren't guaranteeing more than one year in their negotiations with the NFL's 2024 sack leader. Myles Garrett cashed in at $40 million per year, T.J. Watt topped that with $41 million per year, and Micah Parsons is also waiting for a new deal. Time is money, and Hendrickson's situation is growing more expensive by the minute.

Micah Parsons: The Cowboys pass-rusher insists he's not holding in and that back tightness is restricting him. It's been a messy start to training camp, as team owner Jerry Jones took a swipe at Parsons' injury history when asked about negotiations. Parsons responded by saying he felt discouraged by the state of talks, pointing to Watt and Garrett's news deals. The star edge rusher is - deservedly - going to get market-resetting money. The faster Dallas can make that happen, the faster this Cowboys team can start building momentum for an important 2025 season.

Terry McLaurin: The expectations for the Commanders are higher than they've been in quite some time. The only problem is that Washington forgot to bring its biggest homegrown veteran along for the ride. McLaurin, who has racked up over 1,000 yards in five straight seasons, is eyeing a new deal, and Washington is playing hardball. It's an odd battle for a front office that's had no problem bringing in Laremy Tunsil, Javon Kinlaw, and Deebo Samuel, especially since McLaurin can be considered underpaid - his average value on his current deal ranks 17th among NFL receivers. What message does it send that the Commanders have no issue absorbing veteran contracts but can't take care of their own?

Jauan Jennings: With no clarity on when Brandon Aiyuk will be able to return from a torn ACL suffered last year, Jennings has all the leverage in his contract negotiations. Still, that hasn't stopped him from participating in drills. The 28-year-old is coming off a breakout 975-yard campaign, though it's the only season in which he's registered over 416 yards. Rumors swirled that he requested a trade, but head coach Kyle Shanahan shut those down.

Kyren Williams: Williams, who is eyeing an extension, is not only not holding out, he's even on the field practicing. Both sides sound eager to make this work, so it seems like a matter of time before common ground is found. Williams has been an important piece for the Rams, rushing for 2,443 yards over the last two seasons.

James Cook: Cook is also at camp, but he's been more direct than his comrades, saying Thursday, "I deserve what I want." General manager Brandon Beane said this week that he hopes Cook is here next year, but there's uncertainty about whether a deal will be brokered. Cook, who's entering the last year of his rookie contract, tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns last season with 16 and has been a key part of the Bills' offense. But the team does have second-year pro Ray Davis waiting in the wings. We'll see how this situation plays out.

Notable camp standouts 🔥

Chiefs WRs

Patrick Mahomes was being forced to put on a one-man show in 2024 without any elite wide receivers around him. That may change in 2025. Rashee Rice, who could face NFL discipline over a high-speed crash, looks to have not missed a beat, while fourth-round rookie wideout Jalen Royals is already getting some reps with the first-team offense.

Kyle Williams

The Patriots' third-round pick has created a ton of buzz entering training camp, and he's shown no signs of slowing down. Williams made a terrific catch with cornerback Christian Gonzalez in coverage on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Oh, and he made this catch, too.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith

No player is making a bigger name for themselves at the Chargers' training camp so far than Lambert-Smith. The fifth-round rookie has made some highlight-reel grabs that will put him in the conversation for significant playing time. Let's see if this carries through the preseason.

Tee Higgins

Higgins hasn't cracked 1,000 yards in two seasons. If early impressions from training camp mean anything, it seems like there's a good chance the Cincinnati Bengals receiver will return to form.

George Pickens

Pickens has been as advertised so far. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has brought his big-play ability and personality to Dallas, and that's been on display with some neat catches and handshakes. This Cowboys offense has the potential to be loads of fun with Dak Prescott throwing to Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.

Kaiir Elam

Pickens might not be the only offseason trade acquisition the Cowboys hit a home run on. This is very premature, but Elam finally seems to be playing like a first-round pick. Going to Dallas may have been the change of scenery the former Bills cornerback needed to unlock his potential.

Ja'Corey Brooks

Brooks, an undrafted receiver out of Louisville, has been spectacular early in camp. The rookie wideout has all the makings of a diamond in the rough: He's hauled in three touchdowns over the first two days.

Trending down 📉

Learning curve in Chicago

The Ben Johnson effect wasn't going to be noticeable overnight. Caleb Williams and much of the first-team offense have appeared sluggish out of the gate, according to those in attendance. Bears fans shouldn't lose their optimism just yet, but this may be a slow burn rather than a quick fix.

Growing pains in Pittsburgh

A bad omen or just a fluke play? Aaron Rodgers' first pass as a Pittsburgh Steeler was picked off. Rodgers is one of the several new faces in Pittsburgh, alongside DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey, so this might take a bit longer to come together.

Jaxson Dart

The Giants' first-round pick seems to be doing his best Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde impression. Sometimes the gunslinger traits he flashed at Ole Miss result in big plays, like the touchdown he threw to Jalin Hyatt on Thursday. Sometimes, they turn into a pick-6 on the first toss. But to be fair, no one was expecting the rookie to blow the doors off the facility.