Your five-minute guide to the biggest happenings in the league this week!
Training camps are officially underway, folks, and if you’ve been too busy enjoying the summer sun to keep up with the NFL news cycle, fear not. We’ve got you covered with the ten biggest stories that unfolded this week. From record-breaking contracts to shocking retirements, it’s been a proper whirlwind. Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. T.J. Watt Becomes the NFL’s Highest-Paid Defender (Again)
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally got their man locked up, and it only cost them a cool $123 million. T.J. Watt signed a three-year extension on July 17 that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history for the second time in his career, with an average annual value of $41 million.
Not bad for a lad who’s collected 108 sacks in 121 regular-season games. The deal includes $108 million guaranteed, which is the sort of money that makes even your mortgage broker weep with joy. This comes after months of speculation about whether Watt would hold out of training camp, but apparently, the Steelers found the right number to make everyone happy.
It’s worth noting that this contract immediately leapfrogged Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, who held the previous record. Nothing quite like a good old AFC North arms race to get the blood pumping. With Aaron Rodgers potentially in his final season and the Steelers making a push for relevance, keeping Watt happy was absolutely essential. You can’t exactly ask a 41-year-old quarterback to carry the team if your defence is falling apart.
2. Mike Williams Calls It Quits on the First Day of Training Camp
In a move that caught everyone by surprise, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams announced his retirement from the NFL on July 17, right as training camp was getting underway. The 30-year-old had re-signed with the Chargers in March on a one-year deal, making this feel like the football equivalent of buying a gym membership and then never showing up.
Williams spent seven of his eight NFL seasons with the Chargers and was the team’s first draft pick after relocating to Los Angeles in 2017. His retirement leaves a sizable hole in the Chargers’ receiving corps, though one suspects they’ll manage to find someone willing to catch passes from Justin Herbert for a few million dollars.
The timing was particularly brutal, coming just as the team was hoping to see what Williams could do in his reunion tour. For fantasy football managers who were counting on Williams as a late-round flyer, this is the sort of news that makes you question your entire draft strategy. Sometimes life has other plans, and fair play to the man for making the decision that was right for him.
3. Training Camp Officially Kicks Off (Finally!)
The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions became the first teams to get their full squads together this week, with the Chargers’ veterans reporting on July 16 and the Lions’ veterans checking in on July 19. These two teams get the early start because they’re set to face off in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31.
All 32 clubs will kick off training camp with “Back Together Weekend” on July 26-27, featuring fan events and practices. It’s that magical time of year when hope springs eternal, every team looks like a potential Super Bowl contender, and optimistic fans start planning their championship parade routes.
The real football season is just around the corner, and training camp is where dreams either take flight or come crashing down faster than a punt returner who’s forgotten how to catch.
4. Aaron Rodgers Hints This Might Be His Swan Song
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on July 16 that he’s “pretty sure” the 2025 season will be his final year in the NFL. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh, and it appears he’s planning to ride off into the sunset after what would be his 21st season.
“I’ve played freaking 20 years, you know? It’s been a long run, and I’ve enjoyed it. What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys and a city that expects you to win,” Rodgers said.
Whether this is genuine retirement talk or classic Rodgers mind games remains to be seen. The man has had more farewell tours than an ageing rock band, but this one feels different. Then again, we said that last time.
5. Najee Harris’s Fourth of July Goes Sideways
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris sustained a superficial eye injury during a Fourth of July fireworks mishap, though his agent confirmed he’s expected to be ready for the 2025 season. The incident occurred around 12:20 a.m. on July 5 and injured several attendees at the event.
Harris, who signed a one-year, $9.5 million deal with the Chargers this offseason, has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons. Let’s hope this serves as a reminder that professional athletes and fireworks don’t always mix well. Just ask Jason Pierre-Paul, who knows a thing or two about holiday pyrotechnics gone wrong.
The good news is that Harris should be fine for the season. The better news is that this gives us all an excuse to revisit fireworks safety protocols before next year’s celebrations.
6. Travis Hunter Prepares for His Two-Way NFL Debut
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is gearing up for what could be the most intriguing rookie season in recent memory. The Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado plans to play both wide receiver and cornerback for the Jaguars.
During training camp, Hunter will see reps at both positions during the same padded practices, a key test of his ability to handle two-way responsibilities during games. If he can pull this off, he’ll be doing something that hasn’t been attempted at this level since the days when leather helmets were considered cutting-edge protection.
The sceptics will point out that NFL seasons are long and punishing, but Hunter has been doing this his entire career. Whether he can maintain that level of excellence against grown men who get paid to hit people remains the million-dollar question. For what it’s worth, fantasy managers are already salivating at the prospect of a player who could potentially rack up points on both sides of the ball, even if the scoring systems haven’t quite caught up to the reality.
7. The Great Second-Round Rookie Holdout of 2025
An unprecedented 30 out of 32 second-round picks remain unsigned as training camps begin, creating what might be the most significant rookie contract standoff in recent memory. Los Angeles Chargers receiver Tre Harris became the first official holdout when he didn’t report for training camp on July 13.
The issue stems from the Houston Texans making history by giving receiver Jayden Higgins the first fully guaranteed second-round contract in NFL history. Now, every other second-rounder wants the same treatment, creating a domino effect that’s left nearly an entire round of picks twiddling their thumbs.
It’s the sort of situation that makes you wonder if someone should have thought this through before setting the precedent. But hey, that’s what makes the NFL offseason entertaining.
8. Shemar Stewart and the Bengals Are Having a Proper Row
Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart remains the only first-round selection unsigned, with his contract dispute centred around the team’s desire to set a new precedent allowing them to void future guaranteed money.
Stewart has been public about his frustration, saying, “I’m 100 percent right. I’m not asking for nothing y’all have never done before. But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games.” The defensive end has been working out at Texas A&M while the standoff continues.
If the stalemate extends beyond training camp and into the season, Stewart wouldn’t be eligible to play in 2025. That’s the sort of brinksmanship that makes for compelling drama but terrible football strategy.
9. Uniform Reveals and Schedule Announcements
The NFL revealed several new uniform combinations this week, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers showing off new alternate looks on July 15. The Chargers added “Charger Power” gold uniforms and “Super Chargers” navy throwbacks, marking the first time in franchise history they’ll wear gold uniforms.
Meanwhile, the NFL announced its most ambitious international schedule ever, with seven games across five countries, including first-ever regular season games in Berlin, Dublin, and Madrid. For UK fans, this means three games at London venues: Steelers vs Vikings in Dublin on September 28, Vikings vs Browns at Tottenham on October 5, and Jaguars vs Rams at Wembley on October 19.
The league continues its quest for global domination, one overpriced pint at a time. Though let’s be honest, if you’re paying £12 for a pint at Wembley, you’re probably past caring about the ticket prices.
10. Various Training Camp Storylines Begin to Emerge
As camps get underway, familiar storylines are beginning to emerge, including contract disputes involving stars like Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons, while other players such as Terry McLaurin continue to express frustration with their situations.
The beauty of training camp is that it’s where hope meets reality. Every team’s fans think this is their year, every rookie looks like a potential superstar, and every veteran swears they’re in the best shape of their lives. By September, we’ll know who was telling the truth.
There you have it – your comprehensive guide to the week that was in NFL land. Whether you’re here for the contract drama, the retirement surprises, or just trying to figure out if your team has any chance of not disappointing you this season, consider yourself caught up.
What to watch for in the coming weeks: Will any of those 30-second-round rookies actually miss regular-season games? Can Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers find some chemistry before the Jets come calling in Week 1? And just how long before someone gets hurt trying to tackle Travis Hunter on both sides of the ball?
Training camp is where legends are made and dreams are shattered, usually in the same afternoon. The beauty of it all is that in a few weeks, we’ll know who was telling the truth about being in the best shape of their lives, and who was just trying to convince themselves.
Now get yourself a cold one and enjoy the ride – the season will be here before you know it, and if this week is any indication, it’s going to be an absolute cracker.
