NFC Training Camp Preview: New Coaches, New QBs In The Spotlight
The National Football Conference provided memorable moments in 2024, capped by the Philadelphia Eagles' dominating victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
Running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards, the eighth-highest total in NFL history, and was the consensus Offensive Player of the Year after joining the Eagles as a free agent.
The Detroit Lions scored 564 points, the fourth-most all-time, and led three NFC North teams into the postseason. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, outshone the No. 1 pick, Chicago's Caleb Williams.
But that was then. There are new storylines to follow this summer.
New Coaches in Dallas, Chicago and New Orleans
Brian Schottenheimer was the highest profile hire. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones promoted him from offensive coordinator to head coach after firing Mike McCarthy following a 7-10 season mitigated by another injury to quarterback Dak Prescott.
Brian Schottenheimer will make his NFL head coaching debut after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones promoted ... More him. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Schottenheimer, the son of Hall of Fame coach Marty Schottenheimer, was seen an underwhelming hire by some. CBS Sports ranked him No. 31 of the 32 NFL coaches, primarily because of his inexperience.
But Prescott and wide receiver Cee Dee Lamb are top-tier talent, and the Cowboys ranked first in the NFL in scoring in both 2021 and 2023, the last two times Prescott played the entire season.
The Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints hired offensive-minded assistants, a recent trend.
Ben Johnson, who called plays for the Detroit's remarkable offense last season, replaced Matt Eberflus in Chicago. Johnson was brought in to continue the development of second-year quarterback Williams, whose talent is unquestioned.
The Saints turned Kellen Moore to replace Dennis Allen. Moore was the Eagles' offensive coordinator in 2024 after serving in the same position with the Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent five seasons in Dallas.
Does Russell Wilson Have Anything Left?
The New York Giants' search for a quarterback to replace Daniel Jones landed on Russell Wilson, 36, who will be playing for his fourth team in five seasons. It is a one-year, $21 million gamble.
Russell Wilson will have a new playmaker in Giants' wide receiver Malik Nabers. (AP Photo/Seth ... More Wenig)
Wilson was 6-5 as Pittsburgh's starter last season after returning from injury. His numbers were good, but the Steelers' offense generated only 57 points during a season-ending four-game losing streak that ended with a playoff loss.
Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart are in camp, but Wilson was named the starter last week and will hold the reins. He is not the same player he was during the glory days in Seattle, but the Giants are counting on his deep-ball success and his interception avoidance, even if sacks follow.
Is Sam Darnold More Than a One-Hit Wonder?
Seattle is betting on Darnold, who turned career-year with the Minnesota Vikings into a whopping three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks that includes $55 million in guaranteed money.
Darnold would not have been the Vikings' 2024 starter had rookie J.J. McCarthy not suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp, but Darnold met opportunity head on and took advantage. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns as the Vikes went 14-3 before stumbling against the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs.
Darnold will replace inconsistent Geno Smith, whose career-high 4,320 passing yards were offset by a 15 interceptions and 50 sacks. Darnold's passer rating was sixth in the league a year ago. Smith's was 18th.
Smith landed in Las Vegas with former coach Pete Carroll and first-round draft pick running back Ashton Jeanty.
Who Will Be This Season's Saquon Barkley?
Barkley became the poster guy for 'difference-making free agent' when joined the Eagles last summer, and his dazzling season led to a two-year $41.2 million contract extension in the offseason.
Wilson and Darnold are the biggest money free agents signees, plenty of others could provide impactful performances with a change of scenery.
The Baltimore Ravens signed wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and his 984 career receptions for a miniscule one-year, $5 million to pair with Lamar Jackson.
The Arizona Cardinals signed Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract to stiffen the defensive line, and Vikings added defensive tackle Jonathan Allen on a three-year, $51 million deal.
Sweat had eight sacks last year, and run-stuffer Allen was a two-time Pro Bowler in Washington.
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