With NFL training camps set to start next week, there are many storylines for the various teams in the AFC and NFC.
Training camp each summer is all about fixing issues, making adjustments, and teaching fresh schemes. However, all of it is a result of the many questions teams have before camp. Be it elite squads like the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, or rebuilding organizations like the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. They all will try and clear up their biggest question marks.
Related: NFL power rankings – Ranking all 32 teams ahead of the start of training camp
With all of that in mind, let’s look at one inquiry that every AFC team must answer as they head into training camp next week.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Can Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen figure out their differences, which led to the receiver’s discontent and ultimately resulted in Diggs being sent home from the first day of mandatory minicamp last month?
New England Patriots: We know coach Bill Belichick is arguably the best defensive coach in NFL history, but can he figure out how to help an offense that’s been rudderless since Tom Brady left after the 2019 season? Mac Jones is the key.
New York Jets: Can second-year receiver Garrett Wilson, who caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, become an elite receiver and persuade quarterback Aaron Rodgers to hang around for a couple of extra years?
Miami Dolphins: Will Tua Tagovailoa avoid concussions and stay healthy enough to get the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle after missing all parts of five games last season with concussions?
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Can Zay Flowers, who’s 5-10 and 177 pounds, and Odell Beckham Jr. be the dynamic big-play tandem Lamar Jackson needs for an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL with just 20 pass plays of 25 yards or more?
Cincinnati Bengals: Can Joe Mixon return to being an elite runner after dropping from 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns to 814 yards and seven touchdowns and taking a significant pay cut?
Cleveland Browns: Will DeShaun Watson, a star in 2020 with 4,823 yards passing with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions, return to being an elite quarterback? If he does, Cleveland will be the NFL’s surprise team.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Will T.J. Watt regain his status as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers after an injury-plagued season? He had 5.5 sacks in 10 games, a year after notching 22.5.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: How quickly will Anthony Richardson adjust to the NFL as a passer? That will determine how many games the Colts win this season because we know he’ll be a dynamic runner.
Houston Texans: Do the Texans have anyone remotely close to being a No.1 receiver for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second player selected in the draft, to direct his passes?
Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Calvin Ridley return from a one-year gambling suspension and reassert himself as one of the league’s best young receivers?
Tennessee Titans: At 31 years old, can DeAndre Hopkins add some juice to a passing game and offense that scored just 298 points last season?
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: Can quarterback Patrick Mahomes lead the Chiefs to back-to-back titles and solidify themselves as a true NFL dynasty? The Chiefs have 64 wins and five AFC West titles in the last five years but haven’t been able to win consecutive titles.
Las Vegas Raiders: Will coach Josh McDaniels generate an offense capable of getting the Raiders into the playoffs after running off quarterback Derek Carr and tight end Darren Waller while running back Josh Jacobs figures out whether to play under the franchise tag?
Los Angeles Chargers: Can play-caller Kellen Moore, essentially fired by Dallas after the season, help talented Justin Herbert turn his immense talent into wins?
Denver Broncos: Is receiver Jerry Jeudy ready to take the next step and become an elite player under first-year coach Sean Payton’s guidance because his first three seasons have been underwhelming?