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NFL training camps are opening across the league, and several teams have far more at stake than filling out the bottom of the depth chart.
The Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings must make decisions at quarterback that could determine whether they reach the playoffs. The Carolina Panthers are preparing to welcome back one of their most intriguing young players after a lengthy injury absence. The Jacksonville Jaguars have three credible candidates to lead their receiving corps, while the New York Jets are looking for answers in a secondary that did not record an interception last season.
Bleacher Report recently highlighted these five competitions among the biggest position battles entering training camp. Instead of trying to declare winners before practices begin, here is what each team must learn before setting its Week 1 depth chart.
Falcons must choose between experience and potential
The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. is about more than deciding who takes the first snap of the season. It will reveal how much patience Atlanta’s new leadership has with Penix.
The former first-round pick showed flashes as a rookie but struggled to move the offense consistently in 2025. He completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,982 yards and nine touchdowns, with the Falcons winning three of his nine starts. Penix also underwent knee surgery in November and has spent the offseason working toward full clearance. His health will be one of the biggest stories during the opening days of camp.
Tagovailoa brings a much longer track record. Although his final two seasons in Miami were disappointing, he previously directed one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses and helped Tyreek Hill produce consecutive All-Pro campaigns. The Falcons have enough playmakers to compete in the NFC South. Drake London gives either quarterback a top receiving option, while Bijan Robinson can take pressure off the passing game.
Atlanta must determine whether Penix can still become its long-term answer or whether Tagovailoa gives new head coach Kevin Stefanski a better chance to win immediately.
Vikings put J.J. McCarthy on notice
The Minnesota Vikings did not add Kyler Murray because they were completely satisfied with J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy missed his entire rookie campaign with a knee injury and then endured a difficult first season as Minnesota’s starter. He completed 57.6 percent of his throws for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing 12 interceptions.
Ball security was not his only concern. McCarthy fumbled six times, took 27 sacks and missed seven games because of injury. Minnesota still went 6-4 in his starts, largely because its defense kept the team competitive. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings available on offense, the Vikings cannot afford to waste another season because of inconsistent quarterback play.
Murray is also attempting to answer questions. He made only five starts during his final year with the Arizona Cardinals before finishing the season on injured reserve. However, his previous production shows why Minnesota was willing to bring him in. Murray passed for 3,851 yards and rushed for another 572 during the 2024 season.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has earned a reputation for helping quarterbacks succeed. Training camp will reveal whether McCarthy has made the necessary improvements or whether Murray can quickly learn the offense and build chemistry with his new teammates.
Panthers hope Jonathon Brooks is finally ready
Carolina’s running back competition carries a different kind of uncertainty. Jonathon Brooks has barely played since the Panthers selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He missed the beginning of his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered at Texas, then tore the ACL in the same knee after appearing in only three games.
Brooks missed the entire 2025 season but has now been medically cleared to return. Chuba Hubbard provides Carolina with an experienced option. He rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 before falling behind Rico Dowdle in the rotation last season.
Dowdle’s departure for Pittsburgh creates an opening for both players. The Panthers must determine how much Brooks can handle after such a long absence and whether Hubbard can rediscover the form that made him one of the offense’s most productive players two years ago. The answer may not be a traditional starter. Carolina could divide the workload early in the season while Brooks regains confidence in his knee.
Jaguars search for a true No. 1 receiver
Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington give Jacksonville three credible options in the passing game. Thomas has the highest ceiling of the group. He recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie before falling to 48 receptions, 707 yards and two scores in 2025.
Injuries contributed to his decline, but Thomas also struggled with drops and consistency. Meyers became a dependable target for Trevor Lawrence after arriving during the season. Washington also took a significant step forward, finishing with 58 catches for 847 yards and five touchdowns.
Jacksonville does not necessarily need one receiver to dominate every category. It does, however, need to identify the best way to use all three players. Thomas can stretch the field, Meyers offers reliability and Washington can contribute on offense and special teams. How the Jaguars distribute snaps and targets will be one of the most important developments to monitor throughout camp.
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Jets need someone to create turnovers
The New York Jets are rebuilding their cornerback rotation after trading Sauce Gardner during the 2025 season. Brandon Stephens is expected to hold one outside job, leaving Azareye’h Thomas, Nahshon Wright and rookie D’Angelo Ponds competing for the other.
Thomas started five games as a rookie before a shoulder injury ended his season. Wright arrives after recording eight takeaways and earning Pro Bowl recognition with the Chicago Bears. Ponds was selected No. 50 overall after helping Indiana win the College Football Playoff championship.
Each candidate offers something different.
Thomas already has experience in New York’s defense. Wright brings rare 6-foot-4 size and proven ball production. Ponds is undersized for an outside corner but possesses the toughness and instincts to compete immediately. The Jets failed to intercept a pass last season, so creating turnovers will be a major point of emphasis throughout camp. This competition may continue into the preseason, especially if Ponds adapts quickly to the professional level.
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