Saints training camp primer: Dates, Location, How to Watch, Position Battles & More
Before NFL teams start competing in the regular season, they must all go through training camp. For fans, training camp is the exciting signal that the return of football is near. It’s also that for players, but it’s the start of a grueling, pressure-filled process as well.
Each NFL team enters camp with 90 players, at most, but can only carry 53 players into the regular season. Training camp is players’ opportunity to compete for roster spots and starting jobs, and also the teams’ chance to prepare for the season.
Soon, the New Orleans Saints will be all together for their training camp. Here’s a look at all the important details for this year’s training camp.
Saints training camp dates
New Orleans’ rookies reported for training camp on Tuesday, July 16, and the veterans are set to report a week later on July 23. The team will hold its first practice on Wednesday July 24. Training camp practices will be held until the conclusion of the preseason.
Saints training camp location
The Saints are holding the majority of their 2024 training camp in Southern California at the University of California Irvine. The team will return to New Orleans for the final week of camp, which is the week of August 18.
Usually, camp is held in New Orleans, at the team’s own facilities, but those facilities are currently being upgraded. That’s why the team will start camp in Southern California this year.
Will the Saints have open training camp practices?
Since the majority of camp is in California, New Orleans will only host two open practices. On Tuesday, August 20, the team will hold an open practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. The next open practice will be on Friday, August 23 at the Caesars Superdome.
How to watch Saints training camp
Unfortunately, the team hasn’t announced any plans to stream practices.
Saints positional battles to watch at training camp
New Orleans will have quite a few intriguing position battles taking place in training camp this year. One battle that’s isn’t for a starting spot but will still command a lot of attention is the QB2 battle between Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Both young quarterbacks will fight to be the guy who’s a snap away from being thrown in at QB.
On the other side of the ball is another battle with a rookie. Second-round corner Kool-Aid McKinstry is expected to compete with Alontae Taylor for the slot corner spot. Also defensively, Pete Werner and Willie Gay will battle to see which linebacker stays on the field with Demario Davis in two-linebacker packages.
Under-the-radar storylines at Steelers training camp
Another storyline, that’s kind of an under-the-radar battle is the defensive end group. With Chase Young joining Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson, all three will compete for the two starting defensive end spots. All three are expected to play a lot, so it’s not necessarily a big deal, but it will be interesting to see who are the first two guys out.
Also, as typically the case with training camp, health will be an important storyline. Chase Young is coming off a neck surgery, Juwan Johnson is coming off a foot surgery, and Ryan Ramczyk’s knee could sideline him all season. Learning which players will be available is something to watch.
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