The majority of NFL mandatory minicamps wrapped up Thursday, the last time teams will gather before training camp. But a few contenders will gather this coming week instead.
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Chiefs, Ravens, Rams still have mandatory minicamps ahead
Chiefs have every ingredient to contend yet again
Is this the year for Lamar Jackson, Ravens?
Matthew Stafford, Rams back together for one more shot
Seahawks enter their Sam Darnold era
Giants get best look yet at first-round picks
Shedeur Sanders’ next Browns reps will come at training camp
Things got worse this week between Bengals, Shemar Stewart
Married Aaron Rodgers practices with Steelers as T.J. Watt holds out
Micah Parsons diplomatic amid quest for Cowboys extension
J.J. McCarthy’s trial by fire at Vikings minicamp
Will Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith?
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Anthony Richardson dealing with injury, uncertain Colts future
Saints’ quarterback competition
Updates
Teams still to hold mandatory minicamp
Los Angeles Rams: June 16-18
New York Giants: June 17-18
Kansas City Chiefs: June 17-19
Baltimore Ravens: June 17-19
Seattle Seahawks: June 17-19
The Chiefs are still really good, guys
The last time we saw the Chiefs on the field, it wasn’t pretty. Philadelphia’s dominant victory in Super Bowl LIX ended rather quickly any hope Kansas City had of winning a third straight title. But say that last part again: The Chiefs were going for a third straight Super Bowl title. They still have Patrick Mahomes, and Andy Reid, and Steve Spagnuolo, and Chris Jones, and Travis Kelce. Trent McDuffie is back to help lead what should be another good defense. They invested in the trenches with their first three draft picks. The offensive line will be retooled. Rashee Rice’s return will boost the WR corps. Will it help them reach an eighth straight AFC championship game? No reason to bet against it at this point.
Can Lamar Jackson, Ravens finally break through and win it all?
There’s a compelling argument Lamar Jackson should have won a third MVP award last season. Derrick Henry is back, the defense should be even better, and now might be the time for Baltimore to get over the hump and win a third Lombardi Trophy. The Ravens have been knocked out of the playoffs by the Chiefs and Bills the last two seasons. There’s no shame in that, given how good those teams are, but if the Ravens want to win it all, they’re going to have to find a way through. Mandatory mincamp represents the first step.
Matthew Stafford, Rams back together for perhaps final shot at Super Bowl
There was a chance, however small, the Rams might have moved on from Stafford this offseason. Sean McVay admitted signing Aaron Rodgers was a consideration, as Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reported in February. Instead, the 37-year-old Stafford and the Rams are back together, now with what should be an improved defense starring Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, plus Davante Adams in the fold on offense. Los Angeles gave the Eagles all they could handle in the divisional round. Will the Rams build on it?
Sam Darnold era begins in Seattle
The Seahawks have been good the past few seasons, including last year, their first under head coach Mike Macdonald. They decided good wasn’t good enough, so they made a bunch of big moves this offseason. Chief among them: signing Sam Darnold in free agency and trading away starting quarterback Geno Smith. Is Darnold’s resurgence just a mirage thanks to the Vikings’ weapons and coaching, or did he really unlock something? Will it matter if Seattle’s offensive line doesn’t improve? The Seahawks will be a fascinating watch this month.
Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter take field for Giants
The Giants had two first-round picks they hope will alter their franchise. Abdul Carter joins what should be a ferocious pass rush with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the real needle-mover might be quarterback Jaxson Dart, the 25th overall pick out of Ole Miss and second quarterback taken this draft. How will Dart look during his first mandatory mini? Can he become the starter sooner than later with Russell Wilson looking like the early QB1? The answer is our first clue toward what the Giants have with him.
Shedeur Sanders, Browns QB battle continues
“Everybody’s got to earn their keep,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein this week in Berea. That includes all four quarterbacks competing for the starting job, from current favorite Joe Flacco to much-discussed fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders, from veteran presumptive backup Kenny Pickett to third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. The next look we’ll get here is at training camp, and while Sanders’ chances of starting Week 1 still seem very slim, the path does exist.
Bengals’ standoff with Shemar Stewart escalates
Cincinnati’s first-round pick left training camp amid the Bengals asking for “certain clauses,” per Adam Schefter, and it’s unclear how this situation will resolve itself. Stewart has said he’s asking for nothing more than what past first-round picks have received from the team. It’s past time for the Bengals to end this ridiculousness and get Stewart signed, because he’s a talented but raw prospect who needs refinement under first-year defensive coordinator Al Golden. But this week only made things worse.
Aaron Rodgers debuts with Steelers as T.J. Watt doesn’t report
Aaron Rodgers has officially practiced with the Steelers, and even revealed he’s a married man. And while T.J. Watt is missing mandatory minicamp in search of a new contract, the Steelers that Yahoo Sports’ Jay Busbee talked to this week in Pittsburgh didn’t sound too concerned. All’s well and good in Western PA. In mid-June, at least.
Cowboys, Micah Parsons still have no contract extension in place
Micah Parsons is taking part in Cowboys minicamp despite seeking a mammoth contract extension. He also said Tuesday he’d do the same at training camp later this summer even without a new contract extension in place. For what it’s worth, the Cowboys are famous for slow-playing their deals to retain talent, and this has all been amicable so far. Will that last?
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Vikings threw everything at J.J. McCarthy
The 10th overall pick of the 2024 draft missed last season with a knee injury, and now that he’s the presumptive starter, head coach Kevin O’Connell and company didn’t taking it easy on him. McCarthy’s practice reps won’t generate headlines — positive ones, anyway, but that’s all part of the plan. Minnesota showed him all sorts of looks and giving him a crash course in NFL defenses.
Will Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith?
The star cornerback wasn’t at Dolphins mandatory minicamp as he seeks a trade, and the team is OK with it. The only thing left here is to find a trade partner, but the market seems a little cool thus far. Tight end Jonnu Smith, meanwhile, is coming off a career year and wants a trade. He didn’t attend mandatory minicamp either.
How bad is Anthony Richardson’s shoulder injury?
Richardson still has no clear timetable to return from a sore AC joint in his throwing shoulder. And this week news broke that he visited renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles about it. ElAttrache operated on that same shoulder in 2023, which sidelined Richardson for most of his rookie season. Richardson needs to beat out Daniel Jones for the starting job and show progress this season, or his time with the Colts could come to an early end.
Saints locked in QB battle between Shough, Rattler
After Derek Carr’s retirement, the Saints’ starting QB job is up for grabs. Second-round rookie Tyler Shough makes the most sense, considering the draft capital and the fact he’s already 26 years old, but will Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener (who suffered an oblique injury in May) make headway? First-year head coach Kellen Moore is got more information this week.
