There’s nothing quite like training camp in the NFL. In a social media-driven world, camp highlights on platforms like X give football-starved fans the opportunity to get excited about something new every day.
Those videos help feed the 24-hour news cycle and give fans optimism that this might be the year for their teams. Today, we’ll explore three training camp rumors and provide perspective on their validity.
Myths vs. Musts: Exploring NFL Training Camp Rumors
Rumor: The Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback controversy
There aren’t many players in the league who can generate headlines with his mouth like quarterback Russell Wilson can. He’s equally entertaining and cringe-worthy, meme and myth. Both Danger Russ and Unlimited.
What he isn’t at the moment is the shoo-in candidate at quarterback for the Steelers. He’s battled a calf injury throughout training camp. That has limited his on-field time and Justin Fields has taken full advantage of the opportunity to run with the first offense.
While both offer a rushing threat, there’s no questioning that the younger Fields is the bigger threat in that department. But where Fields has impressed so far in camp has been his ability to throw the ball downfield. The perception of Fields is that he’s a run-first quarterback however his college profile at Ohio State suggested differently. His breakout sophomore season saw him throw for over 3,000 yards and 41 touchdowns and throwing an elite deep ball.
He’s the type of quarterback that, despite his reputation, matches up with what Wilson thrives at but with elite athleticism. Both players were acquired at minimum cost by the Steelers. Fields, though, may have much more to prove after the team declined his fifth-year option.
Wilson could quite possibly be playing catch-up with his time missed and with Fields’ obvious physical talent, has potentially lost too much ground already.
The Verdict? Must
Rumor: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas will be the team’s third wide receiver
All eyes at the start of Bengals training camp were on quarterback Joe Burrow and his recovery from injury. But when he proved he was at full health, Iosivas began to insert himself into the chatter of training camp. As a result, he’s made the case as the team’s breakout star of camp.
With star receiver Ja’Marr Chase currently “holding in” for a new contract, there’s room for someone to step into his position and run his routes. Most would expect that to be fellow contract discontent Tee Higgins, but it’s been Iosivas who has been running the lion’s share of Chase’s routes late this week.
There’s a lot to like about the second-year man. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he came out of Princeton with an elite athletic profile with 4.4 speed. He ended the year with four touchdowns despite limited playing time. A year of experience within the team’s system has helped him separate from rookie Jermaine Burton in the early parts of camp and presumably carve out a regular-season role.
The Verdict? Must
Rumor: Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is ready for his breakout … finally
There is no shortage of players who could assume the other starting wide receiver spot behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit. With returnees like Kalif Raymond and Donovan Peoples-Jones, the Lions desire a speedy archetype to play alongside St. Brown.
But, to be clear, neither of those players offers the upside of the former first-rounder Williams. He had incredible abilities during his final season at Alabama but has found himself playing from behind throughout his NFL career. Whether that was due to injury or suspensions, Williams hasn’t ever found himself with a full offseason to get himself acclimated to the NFL.
That changed this offseason. Head coach Dan Campbell says he looks “like a different player.” If that’s true, it gives Detroit an element in the passing attack it hasn’t had in either of the past two seasons. However, we need to pump the brakes. Williams, talented as he is, may never be the elite receiver he has the potential to be.
Remember Will Fuller? Fuller’s career serves as an archetype for what Williams can be. The consistency may never be there. However, Fuller’s ability to stretch the field and provide explosive plays in his career made him a desirable piece for the Houston Texans to keep. If Williams can follow the Fuller career arc, Detroit will finally have the type of piece in its back pocket that can get it over the hump and make the Super Bowl.
But that isn’t necessarily a breakout player. That’s a serviceable big-play threat who makes a team better. While it’s what the Lions need, it’s not what most envisioned for him coming out of college.
The Verdict? Myth
Main Image: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
