Battles for Jobs Begin as NFL Training Camps Open

Posted on: July 28, 2017, 03:00h. 

Last updated on: July 28, 2017, 02:44h.

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With the first NFL preseason game six days away, training camps are kicking into high gear and several questions need to be answered with key positions up for grabs on several teams.

The amount of turmoil in regards to who will start at quarterback, running back and key defensive roles is the most it has been in years. Several squads are in transition and will be using the week to figure out if veterans can keep their jobs, or if they’ll be replaced with rookies.

In some cases, such as the Indianapolis Colts, most of the starters on one side of the ball will be competing for a starting spot. The team’s general manager, Chris Ballard, brought in eight free agents and six defensive draft picks and has indicated no one’s job is safe.

Defensive coordinator, Ted Monachino, will be employed with sorting out who will earn playing time. The biggest personal move might be the head coach.

Ted Pagano was rumored on the chopping block last year and if his team doesn’t improve, he could be one of the first coaching casualties.

Who Will Lead Offense

Upheaval at the quarterback spot is prevalent this year and several teams go into the preseason with that spot up in the air.

One with the most focus is Chicago. The Bears surprised everyone when they gave up three future draft picks to move up one slot to pick Mitchell Trubisky.

It was a puzzling move to most experts and equally shocking after signing former Tampa Bay reserve Terry Glennon to an $18.5 million three year deal the month before picking up Trubisky. Glennon has been named the starter, but Trubisky will get the chance to take it away.

There is a three-way battle in Cleveland as the Browns are desperately trying to shed the tag as the worst franchise in the league.

There will be three QBs that will be trusted to help improve the hapless team. Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer and Brock Osweiler will all be trying to earn the job.

Fierce Running Back Battles

The biggest contests are who will run the ball, with at least 10 teams undecided who will dominate at that role.

The biggest one could be in Seattle where Eddie Lacy will be squaring off with incumbent Thomas Rawls. Both have experience, but Rawls may be more healthy and thus get the nod.

The most intriguing match up is former Seattle player Marshawn Lynch versus Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington. Lynch came out of retirement to sign with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and the organization is hoping he can return to his Pro Bowl form. If he can’t, the two youngsters will move up to take over.

Another spirited position battle will be who replaces legendary Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. The responsibility will fall to either Latavius Murray or Dalvin Cook. Murray was the back up, but Cook was drafted in the second round and has a legitimate shot.