--- title: "28 NFL teams lock in joint practices as summer camp preview" description: "The league’s controlled scrimmages reveal early-season rivalries and roster battles before pads even go on." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/28-teams-will-take-part-in-joint-practices-this-summer-nbc-046d3657 published: 2026-06-30T22:29:13.377+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T22:29:13.377+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football"] --- # 28 NFL teams lock in joint practices as summer camp preview > The league’s controlled scrimmages reveal early-season rivalries and roster battles before pads even go on. The NFL has published the official schedule for joint training camp practices this summer, with 28 of the league’s 32 teams set to participate in inter-squad scrimmages. These controlled sessions are a critical preseason evaluation tool, giving coaches a chance to test talent against unfamiliar opponents in a competitive yet structured setting. The full list of pairings provides the first tangible look at which franchises will renew early-season rivalries and which will face unfamiliar foes. For example, the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals are slated to meet, while the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets will also square off in these scrimmages. The matchups are designed to simulate game-speed scenarios without the full risk of full-contact practices. These joint practices are scheduled to take place over multiple weeks in late July and early August, aligning with the start of training camp. Teams typically use the sessions to evaluate depth at key positions, install offensive and defensive schemes, and gauge the readiness of rookies and returning players recovering from injury. The controlled environment allows for more reps than standard drills, offering a clearer picture of roster strengths and weaknesses before the preseason opener. NFL insiders note that joint practices often produce the first notable headlines of training camp, with standout performances or injuries shaping early narratives. The schedule’s release also signals which teams are prioritizing extra competition, as franchises like the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos will face off, renewing a divisional rivalry in a low-stakes but high-intensity setting. The schedule’s structure also reveals strategic decisions by coaching staffs. Teams with young quarterbacks—such as the Carolina Panthers with Bryce Young or the Washington Commanders with Jayden Daniels—are pairing with aggressive defensive units to test decision-making under pressure. Meanwhile, franchises like the Miami Dolphins, fresh off a division title, are using these scrimmages to refine their offensive schemes against stout defenses, ensuring their high-powered attack remains sharp before the regular season. For teams in rebuilding mode, these practices serve as a proving ground for undrafted rookies and late-round picks. The Buffalo Bills, for instance, are bringing in several unproven players to compete against the New England Patriots, a matchup that could force front-office decisions on the roster bubble. The controlled nature of the scrimmages allows these players to earn snaps without the immediate pressure of preseason cuts, giving them a clearer path to make the 53-man roster. The joint practices also serve as a litmus test for coaching adjustments. Teams coming off disappointing seasons—like the Los Angeles Chargers—are pairing with high-octane offenses to stress-test defensive schemes under real-game conditions. Conversely, offenses like the Cincinnati Bengals are using these scrimmages to iron out protections for their star quarterbacks, ensuring continuity before the regular season grind. This tactical flexibility is why veteran coordinators like Kansas City’s Matt Nagy and Baltimore’s Zach Orr value these sessions as low-risk, high-reward investments in preseason preparation. The schedule’s timing also intersects with roster audits. General managers like Denver’s John Elway and San Francisco’s John Lynch have publicly emphasized that joint practices are a key data point in finalizing depth charts. With the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline looming in early August, these scrimmages give front offices concrete evidence to justify tough decisions on veterans or unproven players. The data collected—from snap counts to injury reports—often becomes the deciding factor in whether a player earns a spot or gets released before Week 1. NFL insiders note that joint practices often produce the first notable headlines of training camp, with standout performances or injuries shaping early narratives. The schedule’s release also signals which teams are prioritizing extra competition, as franchises like the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos will face off, renewing a divisional rivalry in a low-stakes but high-intensity setting. What's next: The first joint practices are slated to begin on July 28, with the majority of sessions wrapping by August 10. Teams will then shift focus to full training camp, where these early evaluations will be refined before the preseason kicks off in August. ## Why this matters Joint practices are a vital preseason proving ground for NFL teams, offering a more rigorous evaluation of talent and scheme than standard camp drills. For fans, they mark the unofficial start of the season’s narrative, often highlighting emerging stars or injury concerns before the first real games. The schedule’s release also tees up early storylines, from divisional rivalries to coaching adjustments, giving teams a head start in shaping their preseason strategies. It also provides undrafted rookies and late-round picks a rare opportunity to compete against established players, potentially reshaping depth charts before the regular season begins. The tactical flexibility and roster audits these practices enable make them indispensable in an era where every snap counts toward playoff contention. ## Frequently asked ### How many NFL teams are participating in joint practices this summer? A total of 28 NFL teams will take part in the joint training camp practices, while four franchises will not participate in these scrimmages. ### When do the joint practices begin and end? The joint practices are scheduled to start on July 28 and run through August 10, with most sessions occurring in late July and early August. ### What is the purpose of joint practices in the NFL? Joint practices allow teams to evaluate talent against unfamiliar opponents in a competitive but controlled environment, testing scheme installation and roster depth before the preseason. ### Which notable matchups are included in the joint practices schedule? The schedule includes high-profile pairings such as the Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets, renewing early-season rivalries. ### Do joint practices involve full-contact drills? No, these are controlled scrimmages designed to simulate game-speed scenarios without the full risk of full-contact practices, allowing for more reps and evaluations. ### How do joint practices impact roster decisions? These practices give undrafted rookies and late-round picks a chance to compete against established players, often influencing final roster cuts and depth chart positions before the regular season. ## Sources & Citations - [28 teams will take part in joint practices this summer - NBC Sports](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/28-teams-will-take-part-in-joint-practices-this-summer) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-22) --- Cite: 28 NFL teams lock in joint practices as summer camp preview. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/28-teams-will-take-part-in-joint-practices-this-summer-nbc-046d3657