A team’s mandatory minicamp isn’t the same intensity as practicing in pads during training camp, but there is some value.
It’s a time for new players to get acclimated, new coaches to teach their schemes and for returning players to show they are serious about taking on a bigger role. Here are the top five things we learned from mandatory minicamps around the NFL this week:
Bengals aren’t helping themselves
Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart went from being an unhappy spectator at minicamp to not attending at all. He left camp over a dispute over his unsigned contract. The team and player are at odds because the Bengals want to start a new precedent of including language in rookie contracts that would allow them to void future guarantees, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. Stewart had a biting comment, saying the Bengals “want to win arguments [more] than winning more games.”
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This could all get smoothed over soon, but the Bengals are not helping their reputation of being a cheap organization. They have NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson holding out as he seeks a raise. Also this month, they cut Germaine Pratt, a good linebacker for six seasons who was immediately added by the Las Vegas Raiders. Now they’re antagonizing edge rusher Stewart, who was supposed to help a defense that failed Cincinnati last season. Not great.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the focus of the team’s minicamp. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shedeur Sanders will dominate preseason headlines
There has never been a fourth-string quarterback or fifth-round draft pick like Sanders, in terms of the amount of time spent talking about him. Every time the Browns practice, there are multiple videos on social media of Sanders doing just about anything. Routine passes in shorts and a jersey get hyped up as all-world highlights. The attention paid to Sanders is unprecedented for a player in his position, and it’s going to get only hotter when training camp and the preseason starts.
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There’s a four-way battle for the Browns’ starting quarterback spot and there are many fans convinced Sanders will start from Week 1 on and be a star, even though the realistic odds of Sanders starting the season as QB1 are low. But he’s the NFL player who will get the most attention in August. And it won’t be close.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is jacked
The Arizona Cardinals seemed happy to show off the new physique of Harrison, their second-year receiver who was the fourth pick of last year’s draft.
Will it matter to Harrison’s production that he seemed to put on some muscle? Maybe, maybe not, but the difference was noticeable.
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“I thought it was AI and the pictures were fake,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said, via the Arizona Republic.
Harrison had a bit of a disappointing rookie season. It’s clear he’s taking his preparation for this season seriously.
Broncos, Texans value RB depth
The Broncos and Texans made some June pickups that might impact their seasons. Broncos rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey seemed to have a clear shot at the team’s starting running back job, but then they signed J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins had 905 yards and nine touchdowns for the Chargers last season. Harvey will have a role, but the Broncos didn’t sign Dobbins to watch him from the sideline.
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In Houston, Joe Mixon’s starting spot is secure. But Nick Chubb is an interesting depth piece. The Texans didn’t have much behind Mixon, although rookie Woody Marks was an interesting pick in the fourth round. Marks’ chance at making a big impact as a rookie took a hit with the addition of Chubb, a fan favorite with the Browns. Chubb is a season removed from a horrible knee injury suffered in 2023, and Houston hopes he can provide backfield help. The additions in Denver and Houston give each team more options.
Davante Adams fitting in well with Rams
When you play for the Raiders and then the Jets, coming to the Los Angeles Rams can seem liberating. Although Rams minicamp doesn’t begin until Monday, Adams has already noticed a difference in his short time with the team: “it’s a glaring difference when you come into a building like this,” and it’s not like everyone didn’t know what he was talking about.
“It’s been exactly what I needed, feeling rejuvenated and really, really enjoying the time with the guys, getting to know them, getting on the same page with Matthew [Stafford], and just kind of gelling with the whole team right now,” Adams said, via the team’s site. “It feels like I’ve been on this team for a couple years now, just based off of how open and receptive the guys have been to me.”
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Adams had some big games for the Jets after a midseason trade, showing he has plenty left. The Rams practically chose Adams over Cooper Kupp this offseason, and must believe that he is an upgrade. Playing alongside Puka Nacua, Adams has a chance to have a big season for the Rams and help them back to the playoffs.
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