NFL mandatory minicamp is right around the corner for the 2025-26 season, and anticipation among players, coaches, and fans is growing as practices approach.
Minicamp is a key opportunity for teams to see how their newest additions look on the field alongside returning players, especially with veterans required to attend. Here’s one storyline to watch for each NFL team heading into 2025 mandatory minicamps.
NFL Minicamp Storylines
Arizona Cardinals: The Year 2 Development of Marvin Harrison Jr.
Expectations were sky high for Marvin Harrison Jr. going into his rookie season. While he didn’t disappoint, he didn’t dominate like many expected.
In a season where four rookie receivers finished in the NFL’s top 10 in receiving yards, Harrison wasn’t one of them, even though he was the first wideout drafted. With a full offseason to learn the system and grow in the Arizona Cardinals’ offense, minicamp will give an early look at whether a Year 2 leap is coming.
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. Takes the Reins
The Atlanta Falcons surprised many when they took Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. But after Kirk Cousins struggled late last season, the move is starting to make more sense.
Penix is now expected to take over as the starter in 2025. With weapons like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts, minicamp will be Penix’s first big chance to lead the offense. The NFC South is wide open, and a strong minicamp showing could hint that the Falcons are ready to take it.
Baltimore Ravens: Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling
The Baltimore Ravens have been to the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons, but they’ve only made it to one AFC Championship Game. Despite having one of the most complete rosters in the league, they’ve come up short again and again.
Minicamp won’t give us all the answers, but it’s the starting point for a Baltimore team that’s trying to figure out what’s been holding them back.
Buffalo Bills: James Cook’s Contract Status
James Cook and the Buffalo Bills are in the middle of a tough contract standoff. The running back didn’t report to voluntary OTAs, and minicamp is where things could escalate.
If Cook threatens to sit out into the season, trade rumors could start swirling. For a team that already lost several key weapons this offseason, the Bills can’t afford to let this drag out too long.
Carolina Panthers: The Bryce Young-Tetairoa McMillan Connection
Bryce Young started to find his rhythm late last season. To help build on that, the Carolina Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan in the first round to give him a top-tier target.
Minicamp is where that connection starts to form. The more time they get together, the better shot Carolina has at taking a step forward in 2025.
Chicago Bears: Implementing Ben Johnson’s Offense
There’s a lot to be excited about in Chicago, but the biggest storyline is how new head coach Ben Johnson will shape the offense around rookie QB Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears struggled in the quick game last year, something Johnson’s system should improve.
Minicamp is the Bears’ first chance to see how well things are clicking early on.
Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson’s Looming Extension
Trey Hendrickson has made it clear he’s willing to sit out if the Cincinnati Bengals don’t meet his contract demands. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last year, and losing him would be a big blow to a defense that already has some concerns.
The Bengals paid their offensive stars — now it’s time to figure out if they’ll do the same on defense.
Cleveland Browns: Dillon Gabriel vs. Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns made headlines by drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Neither is expected to start right away, but the camp battle between them could say a lot about Cleveland’s future.
Gabriel was picked earlier, but Sanders comes in with more college hype. Minicamp will be our first real look at how the team stacks them up.
Dallas Cowboys: Will the Micah Parsons Extension Get Done?
Micah Parsons skipped part of OTAs. Now, all eyes are on whether the Dallas Cowboys will get a deal done with one of the league’s most dominant defenders.
Parsons has made the Pro Bowl every year since entering the league. The Cowboys can’t afford to let contract talks linger and risk losing their defensive anchor.
Denver Broncos: Can RJ Harvey Win RB1 as a Rookie?
The Denver Broncos drafted RJ Harvey earlier than expected, and it’s clear they see something in the UCF product.
With Javonte Williams gone, Harvey has a path to the top spot. He’ll compete with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime, but a strong showing at minicamp could make Harvey the favorite to lead the backfield.
Detroit Lions: Life With a Revamped Coaching Staff
Both of the Detroit Lions’ coordinators from last year left for head coaching jobs, and they took several assistants with them. The Lions still have a loaded roster, but minicamp will show how well the new coaches can keep things on track.
Green Bay Packers: The Battle for WR1
The Green Bay Packers have a deep receiver group but no clear WR1 since trading away Davante Adams. They hope first-round pick Matthew Golden can become that guy, but there’s plenty of competition.
Whoever steps up could give Green Bay the spark it needs to take the next step in the playoffs.
Houston Texans: What Will the WR Rotation Look Like?
Nico Collins is locked in as WR1 heading into the Houston Texans’ minicamp, but the rest of the depth chart is still wide open.
Houston drafted Iowa State standouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, adding them to a crowded group that includes Christian Kirk, John Metchie III, Justin Watson, and Braxton Berrios. Minicamp will offer the first glimpse at which receivers are earning first-team reps alongside Collins.
Indianapolis Colts: Can Daniel Jones Take the Starting QB Job?
After two underwhelming years from Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones to challenge for the starting job. The two quarterbacks split first-team reps in OTAs, and that rotation is expected to continue in minicamp.
#Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones working on routes pic.twitter.com/D0NplXkY8c
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) May 28, 2025
Richardson is the younger QB drafted by the current regime, but Jones’ experience could make this battle tighter than expected.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter’s Snap Distribution
Travis Hunter is a rare two-way player, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have the unique challenge ahead of figuring out how to use him.
Hunter starred at both cornerback and wide receiver in his Heisman-winning season at Colorado in 2024. Minicamp will start to reveal how Jacksonville plans to split his reps, and whether he’ll contribute more on offense or defense.
Kansas City Chiefs: How Will They Rebound From Their Super Bowl Loss?
With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs will always be contenders. But last season’s Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles left a bad taste.
The biggest question now is the offensive line. Kansas City brought in Jaylon Moore and drafted Josh Simmons to compete at left tackle. Meanwhile, Kingsley Suamataia moves to left guard after the team traded Joe Thuney to the Bears.
How this revamped line gels in minicamp will be crucial heading into 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders: Geno Smith and Pete Carroll’s Reunion
The Las Vegas Raiders made headlines by hiring Pete Carroll and trading for Geno Smith — a duo that spent five seasons together in Seattle.
Las Vegas likely won’t be a playoff team this year, but this minicamp will show how well Carroll’s system translates to a roster that still needs a few more pieces. The 2025 season could be a soft launch for a more serious push in 2026.
Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton vs. Najee Harris
The Los Angeles Chargers added Najee Harris on a one-year deal to stabilize their run game. Then they used a first-round pick on Omarion Hampton to create an RB1 battle.
Harris has more NFL experience, but Hampton offers more explosiveness. Minicamp will set the tone for who gets the early edge heading into training camp.
Los Angeles Rams: Davante Adams Comes to Town
The Los Angeles Rams swapped Cooper Kupp for Adams this offseason — a bold move between two All-Pro veterans. Adams has topped 1,000 yards in every season since 2020 and joins a Rams offense that already features breakout star Puka Nacua. Minicamp will give us a first look at how the targets might be divided between two elite pass catchers.
Miami Dolphins: The Potential of Trading Jalen Ramsey
It feels like a matter of when, not if, the Miami Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey. The Pro Bowl corner appears on his way out, but Miami still needs to find a deal and a dance partner.
Minicamp won’t just shape their secondary; it may also give insight into life after Ramsey.
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy as QB1
With Sam Darnold out of the picture, J.J. McCarthy is poised to take over as the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1 after missing his rookie season due to injury. He enters a good situation, with strong weapons, a solid line, and smart coaching. Minicamp will be our first look at whether McCarthy is ready to seize control of the huddle.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye’s Development in Year 2
Drake Maye made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last year, giving New England Patriots fans hope after a string of struggles at quarterback.
New England added Stefon Diggs, drafted left tackle Will Campbell, and bolstered its defense to help support Maye. It’s too early to expect a playoff run, but minicamp will help measure his growth heading into Year 2.
Drake Maye is going to enter Top 5 QB conversations after this season. Just wait. pic.twitter.com/RykhZl3omi
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 28, 2025
New Orleans Saints: The Quarterback Battle
With Derek Carr retiring late in the offseason, the New Orleans Saints are scrambling to figure out their QB situation. The room features Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and second-round rookie Tyler Shough — none of whom have won an NFL start.
Minicamp will kick off an open competition as the Saints brace for what could be a rebuilding year.
New York Giants: Is There Actually a Quarterback Battle?
The New York Giants added Russell Wilson this offseason, likely making him the starter for 2025. But he wasn’t the only quarterback taking first-team reps in OTAs.
Jameis Winston and first-round pick Jaxson Dart have also worked with the starters. While Wilson remains the heavy favorite heading into minicamp, the situation could shift before Week 1.
New York Jets: New Head Coach, New QB
It’s a fresh start in New York. Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers are gone, with Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields now leading the way. Expectations for the New York Jets aren’t sky high in 2025, but if Fields clicks early and Glenn earns buy-in, this team could overachieve.
Philadelphia Eagles: Aiming for a Super Bowl Repeat
Only nine teams in NFL history have repeated as Super Bowl champions. Can the Eagles become the 10th?
They lost a few key defenders in free agency, but Philadelphia’s core remains intact. On paper, the Eagles are one of the league’s most complete teams again in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers: What’s Going On at Quarterback?
The Pittsburgh Steelers were expected to land Aaron Rodgers, but as minicamp approaches, that deal still hasn’t happened. The longer it drags out, the less prepared Rodgers will be — and the more frustration may build inside the locker room.
As of now, Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks are Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard. That trio won’t cut it if the Steelers hope to return to the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers: Overcoming Offseason Losses
The San Francisco 49ers lost seven starters and several key contributors this offseason, leaving them with a thinner roster than they had entering 2024, when injuries derailed a strong start.
Core stars like Brock Purdy, Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Nick Bosa are still here. But this version of San Francisco has much more to prove if it wants to return to the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks: The Start of the Sam Darnold Era
The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with Smith and DK Metcalf. In their place are Darnold, Kupp, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Seattle was the only 10-win team in 2024 to miss the playoffs. In Year 2 under head coach Mike Macdonald, the bar is clearly set to reach the postseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: New Offensive Playcaller
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost offensive coordinator Liam Coen to the Jaguars, creating a void that could’ve disrupted their offense. Instead, Tampa Bay promoted Josh Grizzard, the team’s former passing game coordinator.
With Emeka Egbuka joining a strong receiver room, Grizzard will have plenty to work with as the Bucs aim to repeat as NFC South champions.
Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward Hits the Field
Any time you draft a quarterback No. 1 overall, he’s the story. So for the Tennessee Titans, Cam Ward is that guy.
Despite finishing with the NFL’s worst record last season, Tennessee made smart moves this offseason to get better. If Ward plays well as a rookie, he could help spark hope for the future.
Washington Commanders: Proving They’re Not a Flash in the Pan
The Washington Commanders shocked the NFL in 2024, going from the No. 2 pick the year prior to the NFC Championship Game. With Year 2 for quarterback Jayden Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn, expectations are higher.
Can Washington prove last season wasn’t a fluke?