Overview
- The NFL published official 2026 training camp report dates and locations on Monday, with veterans for the first two teams — the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers — due to report July 22 and all 32 teams scheduled to be in camp by July 28.
- The preseason opens with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 and continues with three weeks of preseason games from Aug. 13–29, giving clubs a structured period to test starters in joint practices and tuneups.
- Headline quarterback competitions to watch entering camp are Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett versus Gardner Minshew with rookie Carson Beck pushing for reps, Atlanta’s Tua Tagovailoa versus Michael Penix Jr. with accuracy cited as a factor in Stefanski’s scheme, and Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson versus Shedeur Sanders where Sanders has narrowed the gap.
- Key non‑quarterback battles will shape several rosters, notably Baltimore’s open center spot after Tyler Linderbaum’s departure and Green Bay’s cornerback overhaul that includes early draft picks Brandon Cisse and Domani Jackson challenging incumbents.
- These camp fights matter beyond starting jobs because large guaranteed contracts, recent draft investment and injury recoveries will influence playing time, roster cuts and possible midseason moves, so expect teams to use joint practices and preseason games as decisive evaluation tools.