After the strangest offseason period in recent history, NFL training camps are finally starting to open. Over the next few days teams will return to the practice field in what is a new world for everyone. Most offseasons provide some interesting storylines to follow, but in every conceivable way 2020 is simply a different year.
For example, Charles McDonald, who does tremendous work covering the league for the New York Daily News, tweeted this recently:
i honestly think you can come up with a reason to watch every team this year https://t.co/K7oky7lCmh
— charles (#1 wear a damn mask fan) mcdonald (@FourVerts) July 10, 2020
He’s right. There is a reason – or more – to watch every single team in the league this year.
To that end, here are some of the best storylines to watch as training camps open.
The Philadelphia Wide Receiver Room
Despite winning the NFC East last season and hosting a playoff game on Wild Card Weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles had some issues on the offensive side of the football. Due to a combination of injuries and poor play, Carson Wentz led the Eagles to the playoffs throwing to a mix of players at the wide receiver position, including former quarterback Greg Ward Jr., Mack Hollins and the inconsistent Nelson Agholor.
That led to an influx of new talent at the position this offseason. Despite using an early-round pick last year on a wide receiver (second-round pick J.J. Arcega-Whiteside) the Eagles again dipped into the WR pool early in the draft. This time they tapped into the Big 12, selecting Jalen Reagor in the first round.
However, the Eagles were not done adding at the position. They drafted two more wideouts on Day Three in downfield threats John Hightower out of Boise State, and Quez Watkins out of Southern Mississippi. On the same day, they swung a trade for the speedy Marquise Goodwin. That led some to believe – when combined with comments made by general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson – that the Eagles were becoming more of a downfield team.
We will soon find out for sure.