The NFL preseason has officially kicked off and rosters are taking shape. Teams will have their players report for training camp by July 28, with rookies first reporting July 17. As the preseason ramps up, coaches will be evaluating who’s most deserving of a starting job. These are 10 position battles to keep an eye on throughout training camp.
1) Vikings QB: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray to a veteran minimum deal worth $1.3 million, a huge bargain for the team. Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler and former No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. When he’s at his best, the former Arizona Cardinal is one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the league.
Murray will be competing with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Last year’s starter had a disappointing first season leading the Vikings, throwing 12 interceptions compared to 11 touchdowns. He was extremely inaccurate and appeared unprepared to be a starter in the NFL.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has a tough decision to make. On one hand, McCarthy was drafted to be the future of the team and has only been given one season to show he can do that. McCarthy, however, has looked bad when he plays, while Murray is on a cheap deal and has an advantage in experience.
The offense around the quarterback is solid. Justin Jefferson is one of the league’s best receivers, and Jordan Addison pairs with Jefferson perfectly and may break out if he can stay on the field for a full season. Running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are capable runners, with the former being a solid receiving option.
The biggest question is which quarterback will make this offense run. Murray is the reported favorite so far, but the two have been battling on and off the field for months.
2) Falcons QB: Michael Penix Jr vs. Tua Tagovailoa
Another situation of youth versus experience. Michael Penix Jr was a first-time starter last year before tearing his ACL after nine games. The eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft has tremendous upside with a cannon for an arm, but has had trouble staying healthy.
The Atlanta Falcons also signed Tua Tagovailoa for a veteran minimum to compete for the starting job. After six years in Miami, he will also hope to stay healthy after numerous concussions in the past couple of years.
Although both quarterbacks are left-handed, they have drastically different skillsets. Penix is most known for his arm strength and raw potential. Tagovailoa is more of a dump-off, slant route passer with limited throw power. He is, however, more accurate on shorter routes and carries the experience advantage with him.
The Falcons’ offense is filled with athletic playmakers. Bijan Robinson is arguably the best running back in football, while Kyle Pitts Sr. seems to have found his footing as one of the fastest tight ends in recent history. Drake London is also an alpha receiver, posting three consecutive seasons of 900+ receiving yards. New head coach Kevin Stefanski has the offensive weapons solidified, but his quarterback will have to utilize the skilled playmakers around him.
3) Raiders QB: Kirk Cousins vs Fernando Mendoza
No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will likely begin his NFL career as a backup to Kirk Cousins. The Las Vegas Raiders hired Cousins to a five-year, $172 million contract that will likely function as a one-year, $20 million deal.
Cousins is coming off an up-and-down season in Atlanta. The Falcons lost six of their first seven appearances, but then led them to four straight wins to end the year. He will turn 38 in August, but is a proven starting quarterback for a Raiders team that desperately needs clarity in their offense.
Mendoza is the shiny new rookie that fans will be begging for at the first wrong turn. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is a smart, precise passer who has a great mentality coming into the NFL. Minority team owner Tom Brady has stated that nothing was handed to him when he played, though, and he has that same expectation for Mendoza.
New head coach Klint Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks. He’s a smart playcaller with a complex offense. The assumption is that Cousins will take the reins early on, but Mendoza will have every opportunity to take his job from him.
4) Browns QB: Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders
Deshaun Watson is expected to make his first NFL appearance since 2024. He’s dealt with suspensions and injuries, but will be the presumed starter for the Cleveland Browns for the upcoming season. The biggest obstacle in his way is Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders’ rookie season was nothing to write home about, throwing seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight games. His game is built around accuracy, given his limited arm strength, but he also brings a mobility threat in a scramble drill.
Watson hasn’t had an effective NFL season since 2020 with the Houston Texans. There is no real way to tell how he will fare until he’s on the field. The expectation for new head coach Todd Monken’s squad is that Watson will be the starter, but fans may call for a switch if Watson starts slow.
The Browns have upgraded an offense that struggled last season, drafting two wide receivers and an offensive tackle in the first two rounds. They’ve also signed offensive guards to big deals, hoping to open up holes for phenom running back Quinshon Judkins.
The offense surrounding the quarterback has improved, but the question will be whether the offense can be effective with Watson or Sanders.
5) Seahawks RB: Zach Charbonnet vs. Jadarian Price
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker II left, creating a running back competition between Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price. The former has three years of experience as a member of the Seattle Seahawks backfield, while Price was drafted with the final pick in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.
Charbonnet set career highs in touchdowns (12) and rushing yards (730) this past season. The main obstacle he faces is his ACL. He had surgery to repair a torn ACL on Feb. 20, likely leaving him on the bench for the first half of the season. At his best, he’s a physical runner who always excelled when Walker was sidelined.
Price, the rookie out of Notre Dame, was a first-round pick for a reason. He may have backed up Jeremyiah Love during his time at college, but he’s got the talent to be a starter. He averaged six yards per carry last season, also hitting paydirt 12 times. With limited touches in the past three seasons for the Fighting Irish, Price is fresh and may be able to take on more hits than most full-time college starters could.
The Seahawks signed Emmanuel Wilson from the Green Bay Packers, and he’ll likely split touches with Price as Charbonnet recovers. Once he’s fully healthy, though, Charbonnet will be expected to take command of the backfield. That is, unless Price has proven that he is ready for NFL competition.
