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Football

Five things to watch in the 2024 NFL preseason

Philip Marsh
Five things to watch in the 2024 NFL preseasonGetty
Football is - almost - back.

It has been a long wait, but football returns this week with the Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.

It marks the start of the 2024 NFL preseason, and although there is nothing on the line for the 32 franchises over the next few weeks, there is a lot to be learned.

DAZN takes a look at five things to look out for this preseason.

New kids on the block

Travis Clayton_27042024Nic Antaya/Getty Images

Preseason provides fans with an opportunity to see their latest group of rookies in action for the first time.

Those taken at the top of the first round may not be risked in August through fear of injury, but those players taken in the later rounds are sure to make an appearance.

Keep an eye on those players fighting for a roster spot, as they will be trying to impress over the next four weeks.

Quarterback competition

Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye_04062024Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

For many franchises, there is no doubt who the starting quarterback will be come the first week of the regular season, but that cannot be said for every team.

The New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers have a number of quarterbacks fighting for the starting role.

Expect to see those teams rotating quarterbacks throughout preseason to get a better look at their options.

Health Check

Aaron Rodgers NY Jets_November 2023Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Last season proved to be one to forget for a number of NFL superstars, who had their campaigns cut short due to injury.

Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are among the quarterbacks who suffered season-ending injuries in 2023.

While they may not feature in every preseason game, August will provide an opportunity for those players to get back onto the grass and prove they have fully recovered.

New coaches

Jim Harbaugh Chargers_May2024Ric Tapia/Getty Images

This offseason has seen a huge number of coaches moving teams - so much so that every NFC South team has a different offensive coordinator in 2024.

There have also been some notable head coach appointments, with the Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons among the teams hoping to improve on 2023 under their new bosses.

The next four weeks will give the new coaches a chance to demonstrate to fans how their respective teams are going to play going into 2024.

Trading places

Brandon Aiyuk 49ers_October2023Loren Elliott/Getty Images

Off the field there is still plenty to be worked out, especially in San Francisco where trade rumours surrounding their wide receivers have been ever-present this summer.

Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have both been linked with trades away, with the Pittsburgh Steelers often named as a potential landing spot.

The Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints have all got cap space problems to attend to as well, so players could be on the way out of those franchises before the trade deadline.

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