The New York Giants might be beneath the “Laborious Knocks” highlight this summer season and the AFC North might be throughout the in-season model of the favored HBO NFL sequence.
However what if each group hung out beneath the white-hot glare of “Laborious Knocks” cameras throughout coaching camp?
We requested Yardbarker NFL writers to decide on the dominant “Laborious Knocks” storyline for each group within the NFC.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Has anybody seen CeeDee Lamb? | The 2023 NFL second-leading receiver was absent for minicamp, and due to Justin Jefferson’s new contract, he now has 140 million causes to skip coaching camp. Nothing on the observe subject can match the drama of Lamb’s negotiations, giving HBO producers an ideal, Keyser Soze-like determine for the sequence.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Who needs to play tight finish? | Not too long ago retired Darren Waller upset in 2023, however his 86 profession video games are 57 greater than tight ends Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson have performed in mixed. If neither exhibits chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones, the group may add a veteran free agent comparable to former Saint Jimmy Graham or commerce for Dawson Knox, who spent three years in HC Brian Daboll’s system when Daboll was OC with Buffalo.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | What does Nick Sirainni do? | The Eagles’ HC gave up play-calling duties in 2021 and now says he’ll take a CEO-style method towards working the Eagles, permitting new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to run the offense and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to run the protection. Sirianni struggled when requested to clarify his job tasks on the group’s season-ending information convention, which may communicate volumes in regards to the course of the group.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Dan Quinn’s trophy quarterback | Quarterback Matt Ryan already had 181 touchdowns and 66 wins in his pocket when Quinn took the Atlanta Falcons in 2015, however now, the 53-year-old head coach will get 23-year-old Jayden Daniels, a former Heisman winner and No. 2 decide on this 12 months’s draft. Quinn believes Daniels “has the starvation of a youthful participant” and likewise “the swagger and quietness of a veteran,” however how calm will the coach be if Daniels would not know a blitz is coming? — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Marvin Harrison Jr.’s impression | The Cardinals wanted an impression playmaker on offense and hope to have landed one with Harrison Jr. on the No. 4 total decide. He has already wowed teammates in offseason actions and is coming into the season as one of many prime favorites to be the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the 12 months.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Changing Aaron Donald | It’s by no means simple changing an all-time nice at any place, however that’s what the Rams are going through this season following the retirement of defensive sort out Donald, a surefire Corridor of Famer. DT Kobie Turner seemed like a rising star a 12 months in the past, and the Rams used a second-round decide on one other DT, Braden Fiske. Can both fill large footwear in the midst of the protection?
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | The huge receiver drama | The 49ers don’t have many weaknesses, however they’ve main drama at huge receiver. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have been the middle of commerce rumors all offseason, with Aiyuk lately going viral on social media for a video saying the 49ers are not looking for him again.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | The post-Pete Carroll period | After 14 years of Carroll as HC, the Seahawks have a brand new head coach in former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Despite the fact that the Seahawks fell into mediocrity the previous three seasons beneath Carroll, he nonetheless had them persistently aggressive and posted a profitable report in all however three seasons, giving Macdonald a fairly excessive bar to succeed in as a rookie HC. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | The brand new guys | After an eventful offseason that included the addition of No. 1 total decide Caleb Williams (QB) and No. 9 decide Rome Odunze (WR) — together with veteran acquisitions D’Andre Swift (RB) and Keenan Allen (WR) — the Bears are feeling fairly good about themselves. However will the brand new guys be sufficient to assist the Bears contend within the NFC North towards the Packers and reigning division champion Lions?
DETROIT LIONS | Can Detroit recover from the hump within the NFC? | Over the previous 10 seasons, the San Francisco 49ers are the one NFC group to advance to the Tremendous Bowl a 12 months after shedding within the convention title recreation. Oddly sufficient, heading into 2024, the Niners and Lions are top-tier contenders, probably placing Detroit in a singular place to repay the favor.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Is Jordan Love for actual? | In his first full season as beginning quarterback, Love emerged because the franchise’s new face, main Inexperienced Bay to the divisional spherical of the playoffs and ending second within the NFL in landing passes (32) and seventh in passing yards (4,159). Nevertheless, after his breakout marketing campaign, Love will not be a shock.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Can J.J. McCarthy win the beginning job? | Because the Vikings face life with out Kirk Cousins, rookie McCarthy is clearly the longer term, however it’s unsure when he’ll play. The group has gone out of its method to promote free-agent acquisition and former No. 3 decide Sam Darnold because the starter, however it will likely be fascinating to see how ex-Michigan star McCarthy handles the competitors, figuring out he’ll be the person ultimately. — Mike Santa Barbara
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | The Cousins-Penix Jr. relationship | When the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 total within the NFL Draft, they invited an pointless distraction at quarterback. Will veteran free-agent signee Kirk Cousins take the younger gunslinger beneath his wing or go away him to determine issues out on his personal?
CAROLINA PANTHERS | How does Bryce Younger look beneath first-year head coach Dave Canales? | The second-year quarterback might be beneath a microscope throughout his first coaching camp beneath new head coach Canales. With “Laborious Knocks”-level entry, followers and media may spend hours dissecting each underthrown move and ball batted down on the line to surprise how lengthy the wedding lasts between the 5-foot-10 QB and HC.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | What occurs with RB Alvin Kamara? | The off-field drama between Kamara, who’s in search of a revised contract, and the entrance workplace may make for extremely tense tv. The 2017 Related Press Rookie of the 12 months isn’t owed any assured cash after this season, and the cap-strapped Saints won’t be able to offer him the contract he seeks.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Who picks up first tab? | With three consecutive NFC South crowns and 2024 free brokers Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. signed to long-term offers, the Bucs don’t have a lot drama surrounding them. As a substitute, with Tampa Bay’s star trio signing offers value a mixed $130M assured, probably the most intrigue is who picks up the tab after their first meal. — Eric Smithling
