NFL training camps get underway as rookies start reporting this week
The short summer vacation is over for NFL players. It's time to begin the journey to Super Bowl 59.
Coming off a disappointing finish in the AFC championship game, the Baltimore Ravens became the first team to open training camp when they welcomed rookies on Saturday. Nineteen more teams get underway this week and all 32 clubs will open doors by July 24.
Everyone is 0-0 but expectations aren't the same. Some teams are legitimate contenders. A few are rebuilding.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to become the first team to threepeat since the 1965-67 Green Bay Packers won three consecutive NFL championships.
Eight teams have new head coaches. Several star quarterbacks changed teams.
Training camp dates
While 20 teams begin camp this week for rookies, most veterans don't report until next week. Only the Ravens, Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will have their full teams in camp this week. The defending AFC South champion Texans are first to open doors to vets on Wednesday.
The Texans and Bears will kick off the exhibition season in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio.
The Chiefs will host the Ravens in a rematch of the AFC title game to start the regular season on Sept. 5.
New head coaches Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers after leading Michigan to a national championship. Dan Quinn took over for the Washington Commanders, getting his second head coach opportunity. Raheem Morris also is a secondtime head coach, taking the job with the Atlanta Falcons.