They said it couldn’t be done. Well, guess what? We did it. It’s like they just don’t get it.
Training camp has kicked off for the NFL, so, you know what that means? Steady Football Things™ are about to unfold day in and day out for the next half-year. Who’s better than us? Well, that’s up for debate, but Jim (or John) Harbaugh is at the top of the list.
As training camps start, it’s like a steamroller; everything begins to gain momentum. We have a bunch of questions we’ve been itching to answer. The offseason felt like we were just… sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, trying to formulate answers without any solid data to guide us.
But that’s all behind us now.
Here are some burning questions that we at Skinny Post are excited to explore, alongside Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa.
How much will Travis Hunter contribute on both sides of the ball?
RJ:
Remember when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to snag that Heisman winner, one of the most talented two-way players we’ve seen? That was just a few months ago!
We’re really looking forward to seeing how Travis Hunter fits into the NFL. It’s something new for us, and while we’re only getting a glimpse, it’s definitely exciting. It’s key to remember that reading into training camp for rookie performances can be tricky. But, a lot of eyes will be on how many snaps Hunter gets as both a wide receiver and a cornerback.
Analysts have already made their predictions about where he’ll play and how he’ll adjust to the professional level.
New Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen (Duuuuuval) seems eager to show off Hunter’s potential.
Michael:
I’m really curious to see his snap count as the season progresses.
Travis Kelce recently appeared on “Bussin’ With the Boys” and talked about Hunter. He made an interesting point—if he were the offensive coordinator facing Hunter at cornerback, he’d just run the ball repeatedly, even if they weren’t planning to throw it that way. The thinking is that teams need to ensure Hunter gets plenty of running plays if they want him to be effective on both sides.
It seems obvious, and I think every team should adopt this approach. After all, it’s tough enough playing in the NFL. Imagine trying to cover deep routes while quickly switching to offense and doing it all over again. Sounds daunting, right?
I have a feeling Hunter might gravitate towards one position more, especially if the other side proves to be a headache on game day.
Can the current Chargers wide receiver room manage after Mike Williams’ sudden retirement?
Michael:
It was somewhat anticipated that Mike Williams might retire as training camp approaches. After his time with the Jets and Steelers last season, the Chargers’ reunion seemed like a chance for him to revive his career post-ACL injuries.
Los Angeles is searching for a standout receiver. They wanted someone reliable to support Justin Herbert, as Williams was expected to lessen the pressure by not having to be the primary WR. Rudd McConkey can now step into his role without feeling the demands of huge snap counts that have sidelined him recently.
Unfortunately, more injuries this spring triggered a decision he was reluctant to make. And honestly, I can’t blame him.
Now, the Chargers have one of the younger receiving units in the league. With McConkey in his second year and rookie Tre Harris stepping up, there are also third-year Quentin Johnston, gadget player Delius Davis, and veteran Jalen Legor in the mix.
I’m not quite sure how this situation will pan out. I’m a bit surprised that Legor is fitting in as well as he is. Johnston hasn’t yet shown he can be the reliable player the team needs. Things could look different once the season actually kicks off, but right now, this group might not be enough to meet Herbert’s needs.
RJ:
With respect to Mike Williams, I’m not entirely sure how much of an issue this really is for the Chargers.
Sure, they would have preferred him to be active, but now they’re relying on him to help boost their offense this season. If Herbert starts feeling like his team hasn’t done enough around him, he’s going to be looking at the names on his receiver roster and wishing for more.
The Chargers escaped scrutiny last year, but this season feels crucial if they want to prove they’re a legitimate team and not just riding on Jim Harbaugh’s coattails.
I honestly don’t think Mike Williams was capable of making a significant impact in that goal.
What potential issues are lurking in the shadows?
RJ:
Honestly, I once predicted Zach Taylor would be the first head coach fired during the season. That feels a bit infamous now, especially after the Bengals’ Super Bowl run. I admit I was wrong then, and a lot has changed since.
The Bengals had a rough start last year, which had everyone concerned. They lost three straight matches from the start of the season.
While it’s early days in training camp, I suspect this is still weighing on Taylor and the franchise. The team must prioritize Ja’Marr Chase and not ignore Tee Higgins. They have one of the most explosive offensive cores in the NFL, which would be a dream scenario for any head coach.
The Bengals missed the playoffs for three consecutive years before Burrow arrived. I feel, once again, this situation could become rockier than anticipated.
Are their first-round picks even signed yet?!
Michael:
I’m not convinced about Zach Taylor’s job security as we head into 2025, but I can easily see the thermostat rising as the season unfolds.
Should the Bengals start the year 0-2 or 0-3, fans will surely voice their opinions about his future. If they manage to turn things around and still fall short of the playoffs, the calls will intensify as the offseason approaches. Change is likely on the horizon—it usually is when results aren’t there.
For me, it feels like it’s playoffs or bust for the Bengals this time around.
Will Cam Ward benefit from no quarterback competition in training camp?
Michael:
This past Monday, Titans quarterback Will Revis had shoulder surgery, a long-awaited fix for ongoing issues. Unfortunately, this means he’ll miss the 2025 season while focusing on rehabilitation for the future.
This also signifies that the first overall pick, Cam Ward, won’t face any competition during this year’s training camp. Although he hadn’t been named starter yet, expectations were high that he would earn that spot against Revis
The question is, does a lack of competitive pressure help or hinder Ward before his rookie year?
For what it’s worth, I lean toward it being beneficial for his immediate success with the Titans. Being the number one pick brings expectations, and I’ve felt that steady pressure is important without the added weight of competition. Sure, these situations can push players to excel, but if Ward isn’t the kind of player who can rise to the occasion naturally, he likely isn’t the right choice for Tennessee in the first place.
RJ:
Every time a team talks about a veteran quarterback being a viable challenge to a top rookie, it really raises my eyebrows. If Will Levis was truly a threat to Ward’s starting position, would he even have been drafted?
It’s a clear concept, one that’s fairly obvious to everyone involved, including Ward himself.
So, to call this scenario good or bad feels like overstepping. In the end, I think moving forward with the understanding that it’s Cam Ward’s time is positive for all parties.
