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SportsMoney NFL 2026 Training Camp And Peseason: The Battles In The NFC By Gladys Louise Tyler ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. NFL Fantasy Football Follow Author Aug 09, 2026, 11:06am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . NFL 2026 Training Camp and Preseason: What To Look For In NFC
It’s here…it’s here…NFL football 2026 finally is here. After the frenetic free agency period and the chaotic and somewhat surprising NFL Draft, we know it’s here because the players are finally on the field.
Sure, the training camp brings out the interviews where the players talk nice. But there are also the drills, the fights, and the nuances we attempt to glean from the practices. The pre-season
will display the second and thirds with a brief glimpse of the first teamers, but we can see schemes and get a glimpse of how new coaches and coordinators are going about their tasks.
It’s the second week of training camp and the start of preseason. Position battles and player watches are heating up. So, let’s get on with it and start with the current Super Bowl-dominant NFC division.
The talk in Dallas is about their defense. This season, Christian Parker will take over the defense from last year’s defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (Parker having the distinction of being the third defensive coordinator in three years).
Last year’s defense allowed the most points per game (30.1), the third most total yards per game (377.0), while tying for the second fewest interceptions (6) and the fifth fewest sacks (35).
So, this off-season is about the free agents and the first-rounders. Will first-rounder Malachi Lawrence beat out free agent acquisition Rashan Gary? Can PJ Locke take over for Malik Hooker? And what will Parker do with rookie Caleb Downs?
New head coach John Harbaugh, new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson are tasked with making the Giants relevant in a highly competitive division.
The wide receiver battle is the watch. The Giants currently have the following in the wide receiver room:
New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion takes over an offense that wallowed in the middle to the bottom of the pack in every offensive stat last season. The Eagles were 24th in total yards per game (311), 23rd in passing yards per game (192.8), 16th in rushing yards per game (118.2), and 19th in points per game (22.1). And their WR1 from last year is now in New England.
The watch is on as to how Mannion will navigate quarterback Jalen Hurts’ strengths with the receiving corps that currently consists of DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson and Hollywood Brown.
The battle for WR2 begins. The Commanders signed Stefon Diggs to compete for WR2 with Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown.
The only question is: will Aaron Donald play this season for the Rams? This is the watch of the preseason.
The Cardinals played a highly competitive game against the Carolina Panthers in the HOF game. Even with a loaded running back room, the watch is on for Zonovan Knight and Corey Kiner.
Knight finished the game with 12 touches for 60 yards, while Kiner finished with 14 touches for 57 yards, two targets, and one touchdown. With Jeremiyah Love planted as RB1, Tyler Allgeier as RB2, and James Conner as RB3, the RB2 position is also a watch as Kiner and Knight fight for relevance.
Besides their head coach being in a horrific car accident, and the shadow of the electrical substation over their practice facility, and their top two defensive players coming off season-ending injuries last season, and Ricky Pearsall being out for the season, and yeah, Deebo Samuel is back, the Niners are “all good”, nothing to see here.
The defending Super Bowl Champions lost their offensive coordinator, Super Bowl MVP, outside linebacker Boye Mafe, and Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen in the secondary. To replace the Super Bowl MVP and hold a place for the injured Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks added Jadarian Price and drafted Emmanuel Wilson.
The preseason watch is not only who will be RB1 but also the status of a once-prolific running back room.
The Bears receiving corps will be the preseason/training camp watch. After trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, will free agent Kalif Raymond be the answer? Are the tight ends the primary receiving weapons in Chicago?
Armed with what Sharp Football Analysis calls the sixth-easiest schedule this year, the Lions' offseason focused on the defense that was 22nd in points allowed last season (24.3) and 17th in total yards given up to opponents (332.8).
While the departure of running back David Montgomery and the acquisition of Isiah Pacheco deserve a passing glance during preseason, everyone knows this is Jahmyr Gibbs' backfield. So preseason and training camp will focus on Dan Campbell’s defense, who will emerge alongside Adian Hutchinson as the one-year contracts of D.J. Wonnum, Malcolm Rodriguez and the late acquisition of Devin White all will fight for the honor.
Preseason/training camp is all about the Packers running back room. Josh Jacobs, the Packers RB1, has a legal issue he is facing and now has a “minor” groin injury. The players who will be looking to step into the RB1 position if necessary include: Chris Brooks, Marshawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martine,z and Jaden Nixon.
It’s a battle for RB1 if Jacobs faces suspension.
This is all about the quarterback battle, incumbent Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. Seriously, nothing else matters in Minnesota right now.
This could end up being the most interesting division in the league this year.
The Falcons and new head coach Kevin Stefanski also have a quarterback battle on their hands. Last year’s starter Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a left knee ACL tear suffered in November. The Falcons then went and acquired the services of Tua Tagovailoa for a v...
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