NFL Minicamps: What to Watch as the Offseason Heats Up

The NFL’s offseason schedule is in full swing, with 10 teams kicking off their three-day minicamps this week. The remaining 22 teams will continue with organized team activities before holding their minicamps next week. As the mandatory work period begins, teams can fine players who elect not to attend, making these practice sessions crucial for coaches and players to prepare for training camp.

Contract Disputes and Potential Holdouts

The Vikings recently gave Justin Jefferson a massive new deal, and the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle received a contract extension worth nearly $85 million. However, other talented wideouts are still awaiting their big paydays. The 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, and Broncos’ Courtland Sutton may hold out from minicamp due to contract disputes. Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have already skipped voluntary OTA sessions amid contract disputes.

Coaches and players in action during NFL minicamp

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is also seeking an extension, but has attended portions of the voluntary workouts. Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who is also desiring an extension, has skipped OTAs.

New Coaching Regimes

Seven teams hired new head coaches this offseason, and an eighth, the Raiders, elevated their interim, Antonio Pierce, to the full-time job. Minicamp will be the first time that 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 new teams in full. The same goes for the 15 new offensive coordinators and 16 new defensive coordinators.

New coaches taking charge during NFL minicamp

These minicamp practices give coaches and assistants valuable opportunities to teach their systems to players as they better familiarize themselves with their rosters in advance of training camp position battles.

Early Quarterback Competitions

At least five teams, and maybe six, figure to have quarterback competitions this summer. The Commanders have not yet named Jayden Daniels the starter over Marcus Mariota, so in theory, Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could be in evaluation mode.

Quarterbacks battling for starting spots during NFL minicamp

The position battles may not begin in earnest until training camp, but don’t think that Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew (Raiders), Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye (Patriots), J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold (Vikings), Daniel Jones and Drew Lock (Giants) will wait until July to attempt to separate themselves from their counterparts with each minicamp rep and throw.

Comeback Quests

A number of high-profile players had their 2023 seasons cut short by serious injuries. Now, some of those players find themselves at the tail end of their rehabilitation processes. Others have returned to the field and are using OTAs and minicamp practices to knock off the rust.

Players working their way back from injury during NFL minicamp

Special Teams Experimentation

The NFL’s owners agreed to dramatic changes to the kickoff format this offseason. The modification calls for all players on the kicking team to line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line while the receiving team lines nine players up on its own 35. Two men will line up downfield as returners. The kicker will still kick off from his own 35. The kickoff team defenders won’t be permitted to move until the ball hits the ground in the “landing zone” — inside the receiving team’s 20-yard line.

Special teams units in action during NFL minicamp

Familiar Faces in New Places

Some of the game’s most recognizable players changed addresses this offseason. Pass-rusher Danielle Hunter signed with the Texans. Running back Saquon Barkley jumped from the Giants to the Eagles. Fellow back 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.

Players suiting up for their new teams during NFL minicamp

How Will the Rookies Hold Up?

Williams, Daniels, Maye, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., offensive tackle Joe Alt, and other recent draft picks have all gotten a taste of NFL practices thanks to rookie minicamp and voluntary workouts. But for some, June’s minicamp will be their first full-squad on-field work, and in some cases, their first real tests against veteran competition.

Rookies taking the field during NFL minicamp

The learning will extend through training camp, but the goal is to come out of minicamp with a good base so they are ready to compete in July.