The Biggest Talking Points from NFL Training Camp- Day One

Yesterday marked the beginning of the 2021 NFL football season. Teams began their preseason training camps with the newly added rookies, returning veterans, and offseason additions. However, amongst the excitement of Football returning, several talking points arose. From players injured on day one to the settling of contract disputes, here are the biggest talking points from NFL Training Camp’s first day.

Aaron Rodgers’ Eye-Opening Press Conference

A storyline that bubbled under the surface during the entire NFL offseason was the dispute between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers’ absence from OTAs and minicamp led many to believe that the reigning MVPs time in Green Bay was coming to an end. Yet, Rodgers showed up to the Packers training camp and spoke openly in a press conference about why he restructured his contract and returned for the 2021 season.

Rodgers spoke honestly for half an hour to the media yesterday before training camp got underway. The three-time MVP voiced his frustrations at the way previous players had been treated upon their contracts expiring, “I wanted to help the organization learn from maybe some of their mistakes in the past on how outgoing veterans were treated”. Rodgers added, “I just expressed my desire to be more involved in conversations directly affecting my job”

However, the Packers seem to be attempting to make amends with Rodgers as they traded for Texans wide receiver Randall Cobb yesterday. Cobb, a veteran who has previously been in Green Bay, will be a favoured weapon for the man under centre in Lambeau Field.

Davante Adams Also Spoke About His Contract

Alongside Rodgers, Packers star receiver Davante Adams also spoke to the media about his contract situation. Adams and the franchise had been working towards a long-term deal from January but were unable to agree before training camp began. “I'm not gonna get too far into details about the numbers and all of that stuff, but I like to say that I've outperformed my last contract or my current contract...I've earned the right to be paid the highest in the league.", Adams added.

The Dallas Cowboys Suffer Two Injuries

Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys’ start to training camp has had a rocky start due to Michael Gallup and Dak Prescott both suffering injuries. Neither player appears to have sustained long-term damage but it isn’t an ideal beginning to training camp for America’s Team.

Dak Prescott, who is coming off two ankle surgeries, left the field early yesterday in obvious discomfort. It is being reported that the Quarterback suffered a muscle strain in his right shoulder and is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. As for Michael Gallup, he injured his ankle after a scary fall over a fence at training camp on Tuesday. Although, much like Prescott, Gallup’s injury does not appear extremely serious after missing Wednesday’s practice.

Kelvin Benjamin Cut From New York Giants

Before the first practice of the Giants training camp, wide receiver/ tight end Kelvin Benjamin was cut from the team. This came after a bust-up between Benjamin and head coach Joe Judge ensued on Wednesday. Reports say that Judge was going to fine Benjamin if he did not turn up to camp weighing 251 pounds. The converted receiver weighed 268 upon arrival but believes that this gain can be attributed to muscle mass.

The news followed that the New York Giants had cut Kelvin Benjamin.