Our five-minute guide to the biggest happenings in the league last week.
Training camps are now in full swing across America, and if you’ve been too busy enjoying the summer weather to keep track of the latest NFL drama, we’ve got you sorted. This week brought us everything from shocking retirements to concerning injuries, plus the usual helping of contract holdouts that make the offseason so deliciously unpredictable. Grab yourself a cuppa and let’s dive into the ten biggest stories from the week that was.
1. The Honey Badger Calls It Quits just before camp!
In perhaps the most perfectly timed retirement announcement in recent memory, New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu decided to hang up his cleats on July 22 – literally the day before training camp was set to begin. The 33-year-old Louisiana legend announced his retirement after 12 NFL seasons, leaving Saints general manager Mickey Loomis scrambling to replace a player who hadn’t missed a game in three years.
“As I hang up my cleats, I’m filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life,” Mathieu wrote on social media, which is the sort of eloquent farewell message that makes you forget he once got dismissed from LSU for failing drug tests. The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic if he’d tried – Saints veterans were literally reporting to camp that very day.
The Saints moved quickly to sign Julian Blackmon as a replacement, but losing the “Honey Badger” right before camp is the kind of curveball that makes coaches question their life choices. For fantasy managers who had Mathieu pencilled in as a late-round IDP option, this is a proper gut punch.
2. Justin Fields Goes Down in Jets Camp Horror Show
Just when you thought the New York Jets couldn’t catch another bad break, quarterback Justin Fields was carted off the practice field on July 24 with what appeared to be a leg injury. The 26-year-old, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal to be the Jets’ new franchise saviour, went down during team drills and had to be helped off the field by trainers.
Fields was meant to be the fresh start for a Jets organisation that’s been searching for quarterback stability since before the Clinton administration. After spending 2024 splitting time between Chicago and Pittsburgh, this was supposed to be Fields’ big (final?) chance to prove he belongs as a starting quarterback in this league.
The injury occurred just two days into training camp, which is either remarkably unlucky or exactly the kind of thing that happens to the Jets. With Aaron Rodgers now wearing Steelers colours, the Jets’ quarterback room suddenly looks rather thin, featuring the journeyman Tyrod Taylor and undrafted rookie Brady Cook. That’s not exactly the depth you want when your supposed starter is being carted off the field in late July.
3. Training Camp Injury Ward Opens for Business
If you thought the Fields injury was bad, spare a thought for Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Bayron Matos, who had to be airlifted to the hospital after suffering a serious injury during Wednesday’s practice. The team didn’t disclose the specific injury, but when someone needs a helicopter to get to the hospital, you know it’s not a minor knock.
Elsewhere, Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Walter Nolen was placed on the PUP list with a calf injury that’s expected to keep him out for most, if not all, of training camp. The defensive tackle was the 16th overall selection in the 2025 draft, making this the sort of early setback that can derail a rookie season before it even begins.
Miami also lost cornerback Artie Burns to what’s feared to be a torn ACL, because apparently the Dolphins weren’t content with just one devastating injury per practice. The veteran was spotted on crutches after Wednesday’s session, which is never a good sign in late July.
4. All 32 Teams Finally Assembled
After weeks of staggered reporting dates, all 32 NFL teams now have their full rosters assembled for training camp. The Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers were the last to get their veterans on the field on July 23, marking the official end of the offseason for every team in the league.
The big weekend approaches with “Back Together Weekend” scheduled for July 26-27, featuring fan events and practices across all 32 training sites. It’s that magical time of year when every team looks capable of making the playoffs and every rookie appears destined for the Hall of Fame.
For those keeping track, we’re now just one week away from the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, where the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will officially kick off the 2025 preseason. It’s the first meaningful football action since February, which already feels like a lifetime ago.
5. The Great Holdout Parade Continues
While some players are busy getting injured, others are busy staying home. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin officially began his training camp holdout, missing the team’s conditioning test on Tuesday as he seeks a new contract. The 29-year-old set a franchise record with 13 receiving touchdowns last season and wants to be paid accordingly.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was placed on the reserve/did not report list as his contract dispute with the team continues. Hendrickson has recorded at least 17 sacks in each of the past two seasons, making him one of only five players since 1982 to achieve that feat. That’s the sort of production that typically leads to getting paid, but the Bengals apparently didn’t get the memo.
The Bengals are also still without first-round pick Shemar Stewart, whose rookie contract negotiations have turned into a proper standoff over guaranteed money provisions. It’s starting to look like Cincinnati’s defense might be playing without two of its most important players when the season begins.
6. Russell Wilson Firmly Established as Giants’ QB1
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll made it crystal clear this week that Russell Wilson is the team’s unquestioned starting quarterback, despite the presence of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart on the roster. “The guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter,” Daboll told reporters, which is about as definitive as coaching speak gets.
Dart, meanwhile, threw his first 11-on-11 pass right into the hands of defender Nic Jones, who took it to the house for six points. It’s the sort of welcome-to-the-NFL moment that every rookie quarterback experiences, though most prefer it doesn’t happen quite so publicly.
The Giants are clearly taking the patient approach with their young quarterback, much like the Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes in 2017. Whether Dart will develop into anything close to Mahomes remains to be seen, but at least he’s got time to learn without the pressure of starting immediately.
7. CeeDee Lamb Shows Up Ready to Embarrass Defenders
Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb returned to training camp after last year’s holdout, looking magnificent, weaving through the entire Cowboys defense on Tuesday like they were traffic cones. Lamb held out during contract negotiations in 2024 but appears to have put that drama behind him.
The All-Pro receiver was spotted celebrating his highlight-reel catches with new teammate George Pickens, who joined Dallas from Pittsburgh earlier this offseason. The two receivers could form one of the most dangerous duos in the NFL, assuming they can stay healthy and the Cowboys can figure out their quarterback situation with Dak Prescott returning from injury.
For Cowboys fans who’ve endured years of offensive frustration, watching Lamb tear apart the defense in practice is exactly the sort of thing that breeds dangerous optimism. Just remember that it’s still July, and practice heroes don’t always translate to game-day success.
8. Position Battles Begin to Take Shape
Early training camp storylines are starting to emerge across the league, with several intriguing position battles developing. In Green Bay, first-round pick Jordan Morgan is battling incumbent Rasheed Walker for the left tackle spot, despite not playing a single snap at tackle during his rookie season in 2024.
The Indianapolis Colts are watching closely as Anthony Richardson competes with veteran Daniel Jones for the starting quarterback job. Richardson, who’s missed 17 games with injuries in his first two seasons, needs to stay healthy to have any chance of winning the position.
Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars continue their fascinating experiment with Travis Hunter, who’s now taking reps at both wide receiver and cornerback during the same practices. It’s the sort of two-way player usage that hasn’t been attempted at this level since the leather helmet era.
9. Saints Quick to Replace Their Departed Legend
The New Orleans Saints wasted no time addressing the Mathieu situation, signing veteran safety Julian Blackmon to a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million within hours of the retirement announcement. Blackmon, a five-year NFL veteran originally drafted by the Colts, spent 2024 with the Texans and Vikings.
It’s the sort of quick roster management that suggests the Saints had been preparing for this possibility, even if the timing caught them somewhat off guard. Blackmon will compete with Jordan Howden and rookie Jonas Sanker for the starting safety spot opposite Justin Reid.
The Saints also unveiled their new “Gameday Golds” alternate uniforms this week, because nothing says “moving forward” quite like shiny new jerseys. Sometimes a fresh look is exactly what a team needs after losing a cornerstone player.
10. Minor Moves and Injury Updates Across the League
The week featured the usual collection of minor signings and injury updates that define training camp season. Joe Burrow is expected to play more in preseason games, according to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, as Cincinnati looks to avoid another slow start. They have lost their first two games in each of the past three seasons.
The Patriots announced they’ll unveil Tom Brady’s statue on August 8, ahead of their preseason opener, a ceremony that evokes a sense of nostalgia for those who remember watching Brady as a rookie. The Bills got good news with running back James Cook participating in practice despite seeking a contract extension.
Various players across the league dealt with minor injuries and roster shuffling, because training camp wouldn’t be complete without a steady stream of “player X didn’t practice today” reports that send fantasy managers into mild panic attacks.
There you have it – your comprehensive guide to a week that perfectly encapsulated the chaos and unpredictability of NFL training camp season. From shocking retirements to concerning injuries, it’s been a proper rollercoaster of emotions.
What to watch for in the coming week: Will Justin Fields’ injury derail the Jets’ season before it begins? Can the Saints successfully replace a legend like Tyrann Mathieu? And how many more second-round rookies will finally sign their contracts before missing actual football games?
The Hall of Fame Game is just seven days away, marking the official return of competitive football. After months of speculation and roster building, we’re finally about to see these teams actually play the game. It’s been a long summer, but the wait is nearly over.
Now settle in for what promises to be an absolutely crackling week of camp battles, roster cuts, and the usual helping of unexpected drama that makes the NFL so endlessly entertaining.
