Training camp is supposed to bring fresh hope across the NFL. Every roster still has a shot, every coach still has a plan, and every fan base can talk itself into September.
But some teams already have the look of trouble.
With camps opening around the league, a few situations have started to tilt in the wrong direction before the games even begin. Injuries are creeping in, coaching questions are piling up, and in some cases the vibes are just plain bad. Three teams, in particular, already feel like they’re headed for a rough 2026 season.
The Arizona Cardinals are first on that list, and the early camp chatter hasn’t done them any favors. Marvin Harrison Jr. is already being mentioned as someone who is struggling to stand out. Rookie head coach Mike LaFleur has said he’ll call some "crap plays" to see whether his players can handle them, while offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is throwing Jeremiyah Love under the proverbial bus in his first couple of practices.
That’s not exactly the kind of foundation you want when you’re trying to build something with a young roster. Even if the Cardinals weren’t viewed all that highly heading into the offseason, there’s still real importance here beyond the win-loss record.
For a team leaning on so many young players, a messy coaching environment can do damage that lasts well beyond one season. LaFleur was hired, at least in the moment, like a last resort.
Right now, it’s starting to look more and more like that was the case.
The San Francisco 49ers have a different problem, but it’s just as ugly. The injury situation is already getting crowded.
Veteran free agent Christian Kirk is dealing with an ankle issue. Ricky Pearsall might not be available for the season because of a knee injury.
And head coach Kyle Shanahan is still recovering from a scary car accident earlier this offseason.
That alone would be enough to make any camp feel uneasy. But the 49ers also have to navigate a division that looks brutal on paper.
The Los Angeles Rams were already in Super Bowl-contender territory, and then they added Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie to strengthen their defense. Aaron Donald might be right on their heels.
The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl win and are reloaded, too.
Then there’s the draft criticism. A lot of NFL draft analysts and pundits were hard on the 49ers’ class this year, and on the team’s drafting in recent years overall.
Stack all of that together, and it’s hard to find much that’s working in San Francisco’s favor right now. There’s a dark cloud hanging over the team as camp begins.
And then there’s Tampa Bay, which may have the bleakest feel of the bunch after Baker Mayfield’s latest comments. The Buccaneers were already trending the wrong way after a brutal second half last season, and the offseason hasn’t done much to change that.
They did get a chance to reshuffle the deck, but the moves haven’t exactly brought comfort. Mike Evans is gone to the 49ers.
Lavonte David retired. Todd Bowles is back as head coach, which came as a bit of a surprise.
On top of that, veteran defensive lineman Vita Vea is publicly asking for a trade.
Mayfield’s contract situation only adds another layer of tension. He’s clearly unhappy with how the negotiations were handled, and even if he says the focus is on football now, it’s fair to wonder how much of that frustration will linger once the season starts. For a team already carrying a heavy cloud, that kind of noise can be hard to shake.
In Other News...
Benjamin Morrison's Setback Just Turned Up The Heat On Jason Licht
Benjamin Morrisons early camp setback has only sharpened the Buccaneers concerns about a position group that already looked fragile. The rookie corner has been dealing with injuries since the start of his pro career, and Tampa Bay has little margin for error at outside cornerback, where the depth chart is thin enough that any absence can quickly become a roster issue.
That is why the front office now sounds as if it may need to keep scanning the veteran market for help. The Buccaneers have been linked to several experienced corners as they look for stability behind their top options, and with Morrisons availability already in question, Jason Lichts next move could go a long way toward determining how much risk this defense is willing to carry into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bucs Quarterback Suddenly Lands On Another Teams Radar
Kyle Trask is still looking for his next NFL home after leaving Tampa Bay following the 2024 season, and his path back into the league has taken him through a familiar kind of quarterback limbo. The former Buccaneers passer has limited game experience, but teams continue to take a look at him as a potential depth option, and he has already spent time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.
Now another NFC South stop is in play, with Carolina giving Trask a workout as it weighs whether there is room for him in a quarterback room that already has several names in the mix. The Panthers do not need to force the issue, but they may still decide Trask is worth adding for competition, whether that ends up being on the roster or the practice squad. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs May Have Found A Backfield Upgrade Fans Are Overlooking
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What makes the move more interesting is the opportunity in front of him. Tampa Bay has moved on from Rachaad White, and Gainwell could be positioned for a similar workload alongside Bucky Irving if the coaching staff decides to lean into a committee. For a player who has already shown he can contribute in multiple ways, this is the kind of opening that can quietly reshape a backfield, especially if the Buccaneers are willing to trust him with a larger role. [Read more 🡒]