NFL Training Camp New: Worst-case scenario for Trey Lance with 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers, by design, have a crowded quarterback room as they begin training camp.
Last season's hero and the 2022 draft's Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, is on the field quicker than some expected after undergoing UCL surgery in the offseason. Then there is former first-round pick Sam Darnold, who Kyle Shanahan and the majority of the 49ers staff have spoken extremely highly of since signing him this offseason.
Then there's Trey Lance, the former third-overall pick who San Francisco aggressively traded up to select just a few years ago. And though it's not a certainty, there is a belief that he's the third man in the QB hierarchy for this team coming into camp.
That led to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle to speculate about whether or not Lance will be on the 49ers roster by the time it's cut down to 53 players. And in doing so, he laid out the more likely scenario, which is San Francisco trading him.
But Silver also gave the worst-case scenario: The former No. 3 overall pick being outright released and cut by the 49ers. Though he did say that might be getting ahead of himself, Silver described that as "not out of the realm of possibility" for San Francisco and Lance.
Would it actually come to that? It's hard to imagine but, with Purdy's proven on-field success in Shanahan's offense and the fact that Darnold himself is a talented former first-round pick, Lance has to prove himself in camp. And if he doesn't, he could be wearing another uniform come Week 1.
NFL Training Camp News: George Pickens gets every Steelers fans' hopes up
There are plenty of eyes on big names at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Kenny Pickett in year two is garnering a ton of attention, as is an improved offensive line, and a cast of exciting rookies that could play pivotal roles for Mike Tomlin's team this season.
One of those rookies, second-round cornerback Joey Porter Jr., however, did not have his finest moment on Tuesday, courtesy of second-year wide receiver and hopeful breakout candidate George Pickens.
During a rep that saw Pickens at wide receiver matched up one-on-one with Porter, the latter did a great job going stride-for-stride with the former second-round pick in his own right. When the ball was up in the air, though, it was Pickens who rose up and made one of the most ridiculous one-handed grabs that you're going to see this year in its entirety.
There are big-time expecations for Pickens after he flashed majorly as a rookie that he can elevate to being one of the better receivers in the league. When you see moments like this catch over Porter, it's hard not to buy into that.
What could certainly help the cause is the progression of Pickett. With Tomlin and the Steelers seemingly putting more of a focus on pushing the ball downfield, that could allow Pickens to shine even further.
Even better, it could also lead to us gettiing to witness more surreal catches such as the one from Tuesday's practice.
NFL Training Camp News: Cowboys avoid disaster with Micah Parsons hit on Dak Prescott
Micah Parsons is nothing if not outspoken. Throughout the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys pass rusher has been talking about helping to take the team and himself to the next level. On his way to that next level, though, he almost created an absolute catastrophe on Tuesday at Cowboys training camp.
During a rep when he beat his matchup on the offensive line to get after quarterback Dak Prescott, Parsons came in a little bit too hot and awkwardly hit his starting signal-caller low.
Per all reports from the practice, Prescott avoided an injury of any kind. However, Parsons probably had to run a few extra sprints after breaking the golden rule of training camp: Don't hit the guys in the red jerseys.
Though the Cowboys were able to bring Cooper Rush back in free agency, that's not a world where Dallas wants to be living — with Rush starting games in the regular season. Prescott, who has been (unfairly) criticized for his interception total from a season ago, is the engine that makes this offense go. And if he goes down, it's going to be a big dropoff on that side of the ball.
Thankfully, Mike McCarthy and his team don't have to live in that reality after the near-disaster on Tuesday. But you can bet that there will be an extra emphasis on the red jersey rules of camp after the incident with Parsons.
