The NFL's offseason schedule continues this week with three-day minicamps, beginning Tuesday for 10 teams. The remaining 22 teams will continue organized team activities before holding their minicamps next week.
Offseason meetings and on-field sessions are voluntary until minicamp. But now comes the mandatory work period, and that means teams can fine players who choose not to attend.
These practice sessions help coaches and players further prepare for training camp, which begins in late July, paving the way for the preseason and regular season.
Here are some of the top stories to watch around the league as minicamps begin.
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Will contract disputes lead to resistance?
The Vikings gave Justin Jefferson a monster new contract on Monday, and the Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle got a contract extension worth nearly $85 million last week, but other talented receivers are still waiting for their big paydays. Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers, CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys and Courtland Sutton of the Broncos could miss minicamp because of this. They may not be alone, because Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have skipped voluntary OTA sessions amid contract disputes. The Bengals exercised the fifth-year option on Chase's contract, but he wants a multi-year extension similar to Waddle's. Higgins requested a trade as he entered the final year of his rookie contract, but the Bengals have so far refused.
Meanwhile, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also wants an extension but has attended portions of voluntary workouts. Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who also wants an extension, has skipped OTAs.
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New training regimens
Seven teams hired new head coaches this offseason, and an eighth (the Raiders) elevated their interim, Antonio Pierce, to the full-time position. So minicamp will be the first time for Pierce, Jim Harbaugh (Chargers), Raheem Morris (Falcons), Jerod Mayo (Patriots), Dave Canales (Panthers), Mike Macdonald (Seahawks), Dan Quinn (Commanders) and Brian Callahan ( Titans) ) meet with their entire new teams. The same goes for the 15 new offensive coordinators and the 16 new defensive coordinators. These minicamp practices provide coaches and assistants with valuable opportunities to teach their systems to players as they become better familiar with their rosters before the position battles of training camp.
First QB competitions
At least five teams, and maybe six, will have quarterback competitions this summer. The Commanders have yet to name Jayden Daniels the starter in place of Marcus Mariota, so in theory Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could be in evaluation mode. Meanwhile, the Raiders, Patriots, Broncos, Vikings and Giants must decide on their starters. Position battles may not begin in earnest until training camp, but don't think Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew (Raiders), Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye (Patriots), JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold (Vikings), Daniel Jones and Drew Lock (Giants) will wait until July to try to separate themselves from their counterparts with each rep and pitch of minicamp.
The Bears already named Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in 2024, their starting quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers is back on the field with the Jets after last year's season-ending Week 1 Achilles injury. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Several high-profile players had 2023 seasons cut short by serious injuries. Now, some of those players are at the end of their rehabilitation processes. Others have returned to the field and are using OTAs and minicamp practices to shake off the rust. Coaching and coaching staffs use these sessions to evaluate the status of their stars about a month before training camp.
Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (torn Achilles tendon), Kirk Cousins (torn Achilles tendon), Joe Burrow (wrist surgery), Deshaun Watson (shoulder surgery) and Daniel Jones (knee surgery ) will work in various capacities at the minicamp. . Browns running back Nick Chubb and Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, both of whom suffered ACL tears, are among the high-profile non-quarterbacks still regaining full strength.
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Familiar faces in new places
Some of the game's most recognizable players changed direction this offseason. Pass rusher Danielle Hunter signed with the Texans. Running back Saquon Barkley jumped from the Giants to the Eagles. His teammate Josh Jacobs left the Raiders for the Packers. And Derrick Henry left the Titans for the Ravens. Linebacker Leonard Floyd signed with the 49ers, wide receiver Calvin Ridley with the Titans and the Steelers acquired both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. With a few OTA sessions now under their belts, they should have a good understanding of their roles with their new teams and can continue to show in minicamp what they are capable of.
Rookie WR Marvin Harrison will get to work when the Cardinals hold minicamp next week. (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
How do newbies behave?
Williams, Daniels, Maye, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., offensive tackle Joe Alt and other recent draft picks have gotten a taste of NFL practices thanks to rookie minicamp and voluntary workouts. But for some, June minicamp will be their first full-team field work and, in some cases, their first real test against veteran competition. Newbies should begin to familiarize themselves with their manuals, but the educational process continues. The learning will extend into training camp, but the goal is to leave minicamp with a good foundation to be ready to compete in July.
Experimentation of special equipment.
NFL owners agreed to dramatic changes to the kickoff format this offseason. The modification requires all players on the kicking team to line up on the receiving team's 40-yard line, while the receiving team lines up nine players on its own 35-yard line. Two men will line up downfield as returners. The kicker will continue to kick from his own 35-yard line. The defenders of the kickoff team will not be allowed to move until the ball touches the ground in the “landing zone,” inside the receiving team's 20-yard line. If the ball does not reach the landing zone, it will be moved to the receiving team's 40-yard line as if a kickoff went out of bounds. Touchbacks would require the ball to move to the receiving team's 30.
The minicamp will provide the first expanded opportunity for NFL players to learn from their coordinators how to line up and execute the modified play, although some teams began experimenting during OTAs.
(Illustration: Sean Reilly / The Athletic; Photos of Kirk Cousins and JJ McCarthy: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images and Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
