GREEN BAY — When the Green Bay Packers begin training camp Thursday, there will be one goal in late July and early August: stay healthy.
Prior to their first practice, veteran players will report to Green Bay on Wednesday, which doubles as the date of the Packers’ 2019 shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field.
All practice dates and times are subject to change:
- Thursday, July 25 - 10:15 a.m.
- Friday, July 26 - 10:15 a.m.
- Saturday, July 27 - 10:15 a.m.
- Sunday, July 28 - 10:15 a.m.
- Tuesday, July 30 - 10:15 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 31 - 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 1 - 10:15 a.m.
- Friday, Aug. 2 - 7:30 p.m., Family Night
- Sunday, Aug. 4 - 10:15 a.m.
- Monday, Aug. 5 - Time TBD - Joint practice with the Houston Texans
- Tuesday, Aug. 6 - Time TBD - Joint practice with the Houston Texans
- Thursday, Aug. 8 - Preseason Game - Packers vs. Texans - 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 10 - 10:15 a.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 11 - 10:15 a.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 13 - 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 15 - Preseason Game - Packers at Ravens - 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 18 - 10:15 a.m.
- Monday, Aug. 19 - 10:15 a.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 20 - No Public Practice
- Thursday, Aug. 22 - Preseason Game - Packers at Raiders - 7 p.m. (at IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
- Sunday, Aug. 25 - No Public Practice
- Monday, Aug. 26 - No Public Practice
- Tuesday, Aug. 27 - No Public Practice
- Thursday, Aug. 29 - Preseason Game - Packers vs. Chiefs - 7 p.m.
* All practices closed to public for remainder of season after training camp
Here are some coaches to keep an eye on until the Packers and Bears kick off Sept. 5 to open the league's 100th season:
COACHING CAROUSEL
When the spinning stopped, new head coaches landed in Green Bay, Tampa, Miami, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Arizona, Denver and New Jersey.
Matt LaFleur, Packers — Aaron Rodgers isn't the easiest superstar passer to work with, so keep an eye on the transition. The offense should be pretty good if A-Rod is healthy, so the biggest chore is upgrading a previously unreliable defense.
Bruce Arians, Buccaneers — One of two hires with previous head coaching experience (Adam Gase is the other), Arians is charged with developing the talent and instilling maturity in Jameis Winston. The quarterback never has lived up to his top overall draft pick status, but if anyone can push Winston toward elite status, it is QB whisperer Arians.
Brian Flores, Dolphins — For a while, it looked as if Miami was ready to tank this season as it reorganizes from top to bottom. But this is not the worst roster in the league. Still, Flores has to prove a Bill Belichick protege can succeed as a head coach.
Zac Taylor, Bengals — Good luck, Zac. The Bengals have the weakest talent group in the AFC North, with even their stars such as A.J. Green and Geno Atkins carrying big question marks. Of course, if Taylor ever wins one postseason game, he will have outdone Marvin Lewis.
Freddie Kitchens, Browns — The idea here is that Kitchens, QB Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will blend their skills and personalities to create a dynamic offense. And, yes, a winner on the shores of Lake Erie. Of all the new hires, Kitchens might be under the most pressure considering the ramped-up expectations in Cleveland — and the potential for major disruptions.
Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals — Perhaps the strangest hire of this group because Kingsbury had a mediocre record at Texas Tech and was fired. But he specializes in the kind of offense top draftee Kyler Murray favors, and he is innovative. Kingsbury also is stuck with a weak roster.
Vic Fangio, Broncos — A career assistant who has built strong defenses for years — including in Chicago last season — Fangio is the latest sideline boss hired by John Elway. He has some studs on D with Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Chubb, so improvement is possible. Can the offense, with Joe Flacco behind center, do the same?
Adam Gase, Jets — Developing Sam Darnold into the franchise QB the Jets believe he will become is Gase's responsibility. While there's been substantial turmoil in New York's front office, the roster has been upgraded with the likes of RB Le'Veon Bell and LB C.J. Mosley. That gives Gase a chance to do what predecessor Todd Bowles could not: make the playoffs.
