Big Storylines to Watch Across the NFL
Training camp is well underway not only for the Minnesota Vikings, but for the other 31 teams in the NFL.
As preseason continues to get closer, at least for teams not named the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers who met in the Hall of Fame Game last Thursday, there are a few big storylines emerging across the league.
Here are a few to pay attention to.
Stars Requesting Trades
Holdouts and trade requests happen every year this time of summer as players look to use their leverage to earn new contracts. However, this year has been a bit different in terms of the quality of players asking to be moved to a new franchise.
Most notably, Micah Parsons requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend, delivering a lengthy letter to fans and the Cowboys organization via X announcing the request.
Related Story: Vikings Casually Linked to Blockbuster Trade
Parsons has recorded 12+ sacks in each of his first four seasons, and at 26 years old, he is just starting to enter the prime years of his career. The Cowboys will either need to give him a handsome pay day, or a trade will send shockwaves across the league.
Meanwhile, WR Terry McLaurin is also looking for a new team after recording five consecutive 1000-yard seasons. Last year, McLaurin also totaled a career-high 13 touchdowns for the Commanders. He was the consistent target for rookie QB Jayden Daniels throughout Washington’s run to the NFC Championship Game.
In fact, during those three playoff games alone, McLaurin totaled 14 receptions for 227 yards and three touchdowns. If the Commanders do end up trading the star, it will be interesting to see how Daniels responds in his second NFL season.
Other Stars Looking for New Contracts
While some NFL players have gone so far as to request trades due to the frustrating natures of their contract negotiations, others are still looking to get big paydays.
For instance, RB James Cook is hoping to stay with the Buffalo Bills on a new deal. The running back has totaled 1000+ yards in each of the past two seasons, and he led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Cook did not practice on Monday for the second day in a row due to “business,” making it seem like he is holding in until he gets a new contract. Behind Cook on the depth chart is rookie RB Ray Davis who has been seeing plenty of reps over these past two days.
Another interesting contract situation revolves around the Cincinnati Bengals and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The superstar has been conducting a hold-in to begin training camp, leading the Bengals to list Hendrickson as a co-third stringer on their initial depth chart.
Hendrickson once again posted 17.5 sacks in 2024, marking the second year in a row he had that total, and he has at least 14 sacks in three of his first four seasons with the Bengals. Seeing as he turns 31 years old in December, his next contract likely won’t equal that of Parsons, but it should be somewhat close.
Interesting QB Battles
Apart from contract drama, there are plenty of positions battles taking place across the NFL, something the Vikings are no strangers to.
In terms of QB battles, it doesn’t get too much more interesting than what is happening with the New York Giants. The Giants signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency this spring, and then, they also added Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss during the first round of the draft.
New York hasn’t released their initial preseason depth chart yet, but it will be interesting to see which of the QBs gets the starting nod to begin the year.
Wilson missed six games in 2024, but he was otherwise decent while unspectacular for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Winston made seven starts for the Cleveland Browns last year, launching the ball all over the place seemingly without care, totaling 2121 yards and 13 touchdowns but also 12 interceptions. Perhaps Dart can sneak his way to the top of the depth chart with a strong camp.
Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, a former Vikings QB finds himself right in the middle of a big battle. Daniel Jones, after spending the 2024 season behind Sam Darnold in Minnesota, signed a new one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts this spring.
Of course, Indianapolis also has Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson has missed time in each of his first two seasons due to injury, and he was even benched for a couple weeks in 2024 due to his poor play.
The Colts need Richardson to show some growth in 2025 as they have to make a decision on whether to accept or decline his fifth-year option next offseason. The quarterback has shown flashes throughout his young NFL career, but he still has a career completion percentage of 50.6% and has more interceptions (13) than passing touchdowns (11).
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
You must be logged in to post a comment.