NFL training camps are underway, and all 32 teams are preparing for the long road to the 2026 season. The NFC has several major questions that could shape the months ahead.
Quarterback battles, rookie roles, defensive changes and player health are among the biggest storylines. Here are the key issues to watch across all 16 NFC teams.
Quick Facts
| What happened | NFL teams have started reporting for 2026 training camp. |
|---|---|
| Where | Across NFL team facilities in the United States. |
| When | 2026 NFL training camp period. |
| Who is involved | All 16 NFC teams, along with their players and coaching staffs. |
| Key storylines | Quarterback battles, rookie roles, defensive changes and player health. |
| Why it matters | Training camp will help teams determine starting roles and roster plans. |
Atlanta Falcons: Penix or Tagovailoa?
The Atlanta Falcons enter camp with one of the NFC’s most closely watched quarterback competitions.
Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa will compete for the starting role under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Both quarterbacks entered the NFL as top 10 picks and have dealt with significant injury histories.
Penix plans to return after surgery for another ACL injury. He has made 12 NFL starts and has completed 59.6 percent of his passes.
Tagovailoa arrives after Miami released him following the 2025 season. He threw a career high 15 interceptions during his final season with the Dolphins.
Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling faces a new challenge
The Panthers must manage several injuries along their offensive line.
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu remains on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a patellar tendon injury during Carolina’s playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Right tackle Taylor Moton also entered camp dealing with a health issue. The Panthers signed Rasheed Walker to provide help at tackle.
Carolina also drafted Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick. Freeling started all 18 of his college games at left tackle.
Chicago Bears: Can the new secondary develop quickly?
Chicago made major changes to its secondary during the offseason.
Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright left the team after contributing heavily to the Bears’ takeaway production in 2025. Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner Johnson also departed.
Chicago brought in Coby Bryant on a three year contract worth $40 million.
Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon will also have important roles. Both players missed significant time with injuries last season.
The secondary must build chemistry quickly as training camp progresses.
Dallas is entering camp with major changes on defense.
The Cowboys allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025, the highest figure in the NFL. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is gone, while 34 year old Christian Parker takes over the unit.
Parker also redesigned the team’s defensive communication and play calling process.
Dallas added several new defensive pieces. The group includes Rashan Gary, rookie edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, linebacker Dee Winters, safety Caleb Downs, safety Jalen Thompson and cornerback Cobie Durant.
Detroit Lions: Can the defense stay healthy?
Health stands out as a major concern for Detroit’s defense.
Safety Kerby Joseph played only six games in 2025 because of a knee injury. Brian Branch suffered an Achilles injury after 12 games.
Cornerback D.J. Reed also missed six games because of a hamstring problem.
Joseph and Branch will begin camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden looks for a bigger role
Green Bay enters camp with a clearer wide receiver picture.
The Packers moved on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks during the offseason. They also gave new contracts to Christian Watson and Jayden Reed.
That leaves Matthew Golden with a clearer path to regular targets.
Golden, a first round pick in 2025, showed his big play ability during the playoffs against Chicago. He scored on a 23 yard catch and run.
NFC Training Camp Storylines
The NFC has plenty of important questions heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit and Green Bay each have different camp priorities. The remaining NFC teams will also face their own battles as preparation continues.
For fans, the next several weeks should provide a clearer picture of which players are ready for bigger roles when the regular season begins
