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NFL training camp: What it is, why it is so important, key dates and locations
The long offseason wait is almost over. NFL teams are returning to the field and getting to work in training camp, as rookies mix it up with veterans in preparation for the upcoming season.
DAZN News presents everything you need to know about training camps, including what they are, what makes them so important, and dates and locations for each team.
What is NFL training camp?
Training camp is where the foundation gets laid for the gruelling season ahead. For three to four weeks, rookies learn the ropes, veterans use the time to sharpen their skills, and new coaches and coordinators install new schemes.
The exact schedule varies slightly from team to team, but the grind of training camp is fairly consistent across the league. Most days start early with meetings and walk-throughs, followed by afternoons spent in full pads, running drills, taking live reps, and participating in scrimmages.
Crucially, training camps are the first opportunity for teams to conduct practices in full pads and with full contact.
Fans and NFL media regularly attend training camps to get a glimpse of the players in action, often in the hopes of getting an autograph from their favourite players.
Why are training camps important?
Every team starts training camp with a full 90-man roster, but not every player will make the roster by August 23rd, when teams are required to reduce their numbers to 53.
Fringe players can defy the odds and build the foundations that can lead to becoming an integral part of the team. Rookies can unseat veterans by demonstrating that they have quickly assimilated the playbook.Â
Put simply, jobs are often won or lost based on how players perform during training camp.
Attendance is mandatory for all players; those who fail to report are liable to a fine. When someone doesn’t show up because of a contract dispute, it always adds fuel to the conversation about where things stand between the player and the team.
When do teams report?
| Team | Training Camp Location | City | Rookies Report | Veterans Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Ariz. | 7/22 | 7/22 |
| Atlanta Falcons | IBM Performance Field | Flowery Branch, Ga. | 7/23 | 7/23 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Under Armour Performance Center | Owings Mills, Md. | 7/15 | 7/22 |
| Buffalo Bills | St. John Fisher University | Rochester, N.Y. | 7/15 | 7/22 |
| Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, N.C. | 7/21 | 7/22 |
| Chicago Bears | Halas Hall | Lake Forest, Ill. | 7/19 | 7/22 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Kettering Health Practice Fields | Cincinnati | 7/19 | 7/22 |
| Cleveland Browns | CrossCountry Mortgage Campus | Berea, Ohio | 7/18 | 7/22 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Staybridge Suites | Oxnard, Calif. | 7/21 | 7/21 |
| Denver Broncos | Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit | Englewood, Colo. | 7/16 | 7/22 |
| Detroit Lions | Detroit Lions Training Facility | Allen Park, Mich. | 7/16 | 7/19 |
| Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | Green Bay, Wis. | 7/18 | 7/22 |
| Houston Texans | Houston Methodist Training Center | Houston | 7/22 | 7/22 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Grand Park | Westfield, Ind. | 7/21 | 7/22 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Miller Electric Center | Jacksonville, Fla. | 7/19 | 7/22 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Missouri Western State University | St. Joseph, Mo. | 7/21 | 7/21 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Intermountain Health Performance Center | Henderson, Nev. | 7/17 | 7/22 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | The Bolt | El Segundo, Calif. | 7/12 | 7/16 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | 7/22 | 7/22 |
| Miami Dolphins | Baptist Health Training Complex | Miami Gardens, Fla. | 7/15 | 7/22 |
| Minnesota Vikings | TCO Performance Center | Eagan, Minn. | 7/20 | 7/22 |
| New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass. | 7/19 | 7/22 |
| New Orleans Saints | Ochsner Sports Performance Center | Metairie, La. | 7/22 | 7/22 |
| New York Giants | Quest Diagnostics Training Facility | East Rutherford, N.J. | 7/15 | 7/22 |
| New York Jets | Atlantic Health Jets Training Center | Florham Park, N.J. | 7/19 | 7/22 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | NovaCare Complex | Philadelphia | 7/22 | 7/22 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Saint Vincent College | Latrobe, Pa. | 7/23 | 7/23 |
| San Francisco 49ers | SAP Performance Facility | Santa Clara, Calif. | 7/15 | 7/22 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Virginia Mason Athletic Center | Renton, Wash. | 7/15 | 7/22 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | AdventHealth Training Center | Tampa, Fla. | 7/21 | 7/22 |
| Tennessee Titans | Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park | Nashville, Tenn. | 7/22 | 7/22 |
| Washington Commanders | OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park | Ashburn, Va. | 7/18 | 7/22 |
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