THE NFL SEASON BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE

NFL training camp began for 22 teams on Wednesday, and those salivating for football will soon have their appetite met. This is the final week of 2018 that will NOT have any football played until the end of Super Bowl LIII. In other words…

FOOTBALL. IS. COMING.

The first week of August will kick off the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens while also introducing this recent inductees to a long list of NFL legends. After that, we’ll go through the four weeks of preseason football that will be sure to build even more storylines.

Who will be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets? Between Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Darnold, who will make their mark in training camp and preseason? Actually, there are question marks for a number of teams with newly-acquired quarterbacks. How will Sam Bradford do with the Cardinals? How will Case Keenum do with the Broncos? And for no particular reason to keep the Vikings-related questions going, how will Kirk Cousins do as Minnesota’s starter?

Not to mention, the pressure Cousins already has on his shoulders is monumental.

But that’s the fun leading up to the regular season, is that there is so much to speculate and declare before seeing any actual footage. Sure, for guys who have been around you can look at tape, or for draftees you can look at their college film.

Will Lamar Jackson push out Joe Flacco if he struggles in 2018? Did the Giants find another star running back in Saquon Barkley? Will Aaron Rodgers come back with a vengeance to remind the NFL that he is the league’s best quarterback? Will the Eagles have a quarterback issue when Carson Wentz returns from last year’s season-ending injury?

It’s almost cruel that the NFL season takes the longest to return. February to August, or six months — longer if your team didn’t make the playoffs. But once it’s here, it’s here. Set yourself up for a double-header of Monday Night Football, afternoon, late window and Sunday Night Football games all season long. Who knows how this season will play out!

WITH ALL 32 TEAMS, THERE’S ALWAYS A STORY TO TELL HEADING INTO THE SEASON.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: RB, LB, QB

Will Le'Veon Bell return? Aside from Kirk Cousins, he's the blue-chip free agent of the offseason, and his relationship with the front office wasn't helped last year. The terrible loss of Ryan Shazier opens up a huge void at linebacker, and Shazier's absence certainly showed late in the year. Ben Roethlisberger isn't creating any retirement speculation this offseason, but the team has to start thinking about a successor with Big Ben turning 36 in March. The team's impression of 2017 draftee Josh Dobbs will determine if the Steelers really address the spot.

ARIZONA CARDINALS: QB, OT, CB

Quarterback is the most obvious need for the Cardinals after Carson Palmer's 2017 injury and subsequent retirement. However, the offensive line is also in dire need of help if the team wants its future signal caller to succeed after producing the eighth highest sack rate last season. Finding a viable cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson has been a continuous issue that still hasn't been adequately addressed as well.

ATLANTA FALCONS: DT, WR, K

Dontari Poe did a solid job at defensive tackle during his one-year deal, but now the Falcons need to either re-sign or replace him. Wide receiver depth is an issue given Taylor Gabriel's pending free agency, though the Falcons are comfortable with their top two wideouts Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. Will the Falcons let aged kicker Matt Bryant walk in free agency? He made 87 percent of his field goals last season at age 42, but there's always risk a player will fall off a cliff at his age.

BALTIMORE RAVENS: RB, WR, OL

The entire Baltimore offense needs to be reharled to give Joe Flacco some help. Running back has been an issue since Justin Forsett's departure, and the team averaged only four yards per carry in 2017. Of course, that's not all on the running backs, as the offensive line struggled with injuries. Center Ryan Jensen is a free agent, while Marshal Yanda is coming off a lost year in his mid-30s. Jeremy Maclin failed to really help the wideouts, as Mike Wallace also had a subpar year. Throw in former first-round pick Breshad Perriman, who has been a bust with only 10 receptions in his third year since being drafted, and the Ravens need help there as well.

BUFFALO BILLS: QB, WR, DT

The new Bills' regime seemed unconvinced Tyrod Taylor was the answer last season, and Nate Peterman looked terrible in his rookie season when he played. While the team tried to address wideout in the short term by acquiring Jordan Matthews and Kelvin Benjamin, neither played well. Zay Jones also struggled in his rookie season. On defense, Buffalo didn't utilize Marcell Dareus well in the new scheme before trading him, and Kyle Williams is heading toward free agency on the defensive interior.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: WR, OL, DT

The midseason trade of Kelvin Benjamin was truly shocking, as wideout was one of Carolina's biggest weaknesses before the trade. Devin Funchess and Curtis Samuel have shown flashes, but the team needs to give Cam Newton more help. That needed help extends to the offensive line, as we've seen Newton get brutalized over the last two seasons, and guard Andrew Norwell is headed to free agency. Former first-round pick Star Lotulelei is a pending free agent as well at defensive tackle.

CHICAGO BEARS: WR, CB

Chicago was desperate for wide receiver help last season after losing Cameron Meredith and Kevin White. Finding receivers for Mitchell Trubisky should be a top priority in free agency and the draft. Cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller are free agents, leaving a potentially big and expensive void in the secondary.

CINCINNATI BENGALS: OL, TE

Cincinnati's offensive line struggled in 2017, particularly at tackle, with the team's attempts to go cheap really backfiring. The Bengals averaged only 3.6 yards per rush despite talent in the backfield and allowed their quarterback to be sacked on 7.3 percent of dropbacks. The organization has probably had enough of Tyler Eifert's injuries, now a pending free agent, but needs to find a viable replacement.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: QB, WR, DB

Where do we start? The Brown are coming off a "perfect" 0-16, but they have two draft picks in the top four and seemingly limitless cap space. Finding a franchise quarterback will be the top priority for new GM John Dorsey, but the team also needs to find players for him to throw to beyond Josh Gordon. The Browns' secondary allowed seven yards per pass attempt, which just won't cut it on the other side of the ball.

DALLAS COWBOYS: WR, OL, DE/OLB

Dez Bryant has really started to show his age, and the Cowboys don't have any blue-chip alternatives. After proving elite in 2016, the Dallas offensive line started to sputter somewhat last season and needs to find a new left guard. The pass rush did step up last season due to Demarcus Lawrence's breakout season, but he could use some help.

DENVER BRONCOS: QB, OL, CB

The Trevor Siemian experiment didn't go well for Denver, and Paxton Lynch hasn't shown anything in his two seasons. With the organization floundering, John Elway could do something drastic to address wide receiver. The offensive line has also been part of the problem over the last two seasons. Even after using a first-round pick on Garett Bolles last season, the team needs to do more. Aqib Talib is expected to be traded or cut this offseason. The Broncos have depth at that spot but will still need to fill the void.

DETROIT LIONS: RB, DL

The Lions have had plenty of candidates to be "the man" at running back but have yet to find the answer. Ameer Abdullah has turned into a draft bust, and Theo Riddick is just a role player. The team ranked dead last in yards per carry in 2017 (3.4). The defensive line could lose Ziggy Ansah and Haloti Ngata in free agency, which would put new head coach Matt Patricia behind in his first season.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: DE/OLB, TE

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers finally took the fall for mediocre defensive play last season, but the Packers clearly need to address their pass rush. They manufactured some pass rush last season, but Nick Perry predictably regressed. Martellus Bennett failed to be the answer at tight end and has retired.

HOUSTON TEXANS: OL, CB

The Texans' offensive line is an absolute mess right now, and that's a bad sign with young quarterback Deshaun Watson returning from a knee injury. The team lost A.J. Bouye in free agency last offseason and is set to lose Johnathan Joseph this year.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: OL, CB, RB

The Colts' lack of talent and depth caught up to them last season with Andrew Luck injured. The offensive line allowed a league-worst sack percentage of 10.3. The secondary lost Vontae Davis, and Rashaan Melvin is a free agent. GM Chris Ballard said he will make finding playmakers who can create turnovers a priority, and we're about to see him go to work. Veteran running back Frank Gore as a pending free agent and it's unclear if Marlon Mack can handle a full workload.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: QB, WR

The jury is still out on whether Blake Bortles is a franchise quarterback. He was mediocre for most of last season but played well enough in the AFC Championship vs. New England that the team almost made it to the Super Bowl. Jacksonville's quarterback situation will be interesting to watch this offseason. The Jags showed solid depth at wide receiver last season, but both Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee are free agents — though Jacksonville may use the franchise tag on Robinson.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: DE/OLB, OG

Finding pass rush beyond Justin Houston was a major problem for the Chiefs last season, and Dee Ford's status is unclear. Tamba Hali is also likely to be cut. Left guard was a bit of musical chairs, though fans hope 2016 draft choice Parker Ehinger can fill the void internally. 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: LB, QB

Linebacker has been a consistent problem for the Chargers due to injuries and lack of depth. The team has continued to hold off on thinking about a successor for Philip Rivers, but it's probably time for the organization to take the plunge since Rivers turned 36 in December.

LOS ANGELES RAMS: CB, OL

The Rams were one of 2017's most improved teams, but they'll have some work to do if cornerback Trumaine Johnson leaves in free agency. The interior of the offensive line will also be a huge priority in order to keep Jared Goff and Todd Gurley moving forward.

MIAMI DOLPHINS: WR, OG

Jarvis Landry is one of the most high-profile free agents in the class, and affording him will take some fortitude on the part of the Miami front office. The offensive line had an interesting year on and off the field and needs to address the guard spots.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: QB, OL

Minnesota took huge strides forward, surprisingly with Case Keenum under center. Last year the team had the dilemma of three solid quarterbacks in Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford. Now all three are set for free agency, and the organization's decision on which one to keep could determine the next five years, at least. The offensive line struggled at times on the interior, and Joe Berger is a free agent.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: OT, LB, CB, TE

The Patriots will try to make another Super Bowl run but really have some work to do this offseason. Tackles Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming are both free agents. The linebacker corps came together late in the season but still could use a beefed-up pass rush. It's almost a certainty that the team will let Malcolm Butler walk after sitting him in the Super Bowl, so the Pats will need a cornerback replacement. Rumors that Rob Gronkowski could retire for the entertainment world this offseason would open up a monumental void at tight end as well.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: DL, TE, QB

The Saints' defense made huge strides in 2017 but is set to lose Alex Okafor in free agency. Coby Fleener has been a huge free agent bust, and the team will likely make an effort to replace him. Drew Brees' return is expected to be just a formality, but the organization still needs to find a long-term answer at quarterback.

NEW YORK GIANTS: OL, QB

The Giants' offensive line was an absolute mess again last season. New GM Dave Gettleman could make the offensive line his top priority this offseason. Eli Manning is likely to return as the team's starting quarterback, but the Giants could invest their high first-round pick on a quarterback, anyway, with Manning now age 37.

NEW YORK JETS: QB, WR, DE/OLB

Josh McCown did a surprisingly solid job at quarterback last season, but he's not the long-term answer as he gets closer to 40. The team has the flexibility to address quarterback either in free agency or the draft. Robby Anderson came on strong as the team's top wideout last season but faces serious legal issues. The Jets struggled to get to the quarterback, with a sub-five percent sack rate, fifth worst in the league.

OAKLAND RAIDERS: DE/OLB, CB, WR

The Raiders still haven't found help to accompany elite pass rusher Khalil Mack, and last year was the second straight season in which they couldn't get to the quarterback. Cornerback is also a major issue, losing David Amerson and possibly T.J. Carrie. There have been rumors the team is tired of Michael Crabtree, but there's not much behind him to pair with Amari Cooper.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: LB, DB

The Super Bowl champs had an embarrassment of riches in 2017, but they now have plenty of free agents who are set to be paid. Nigel Bradham could be too expensive to bring back at linebacker. The secondary could lose both Corey Graham and Patrick Robinson in free agency, as well.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: RB, OG, CB

Quarterback is finally addressed after acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo and giving him a record-setting contract. Now the team might look at running back, where Carlos Hyde struggled last season with only 3.9 yards per carry. Guard Brandon Fusco could depart in free agency. Cornerback has been a major issue for the team over the last two seasons as well.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: DB, DL, TE

The Legion of Boom got old quickly. Richard Sherman is returning from a torn Achilles and may be on the trade block, and safety Kam Chancellor's future is up in the air due to injury. The defensive line lost Cliff Avril to injury, Sheldon Richardson is a free agent and Michael Bennett could be cut. Tight ends Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson are both free agents as well.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DE/OLB, RB

Gerald McCoy's injury issues certainly played a role in Tampa Bay's inability to rush the passer last season, but the Bucs also could use more help with a premium edge rusher. Doug Martin was cut after averaging 2.9 yards per carry last season, and third-down back Charles Sims is also a free agent. Jameis Winston needs help from the running game to make significant progress and effectively save head coach Dirk Koetter's job.

TENNESSEE TITANS: OL, CB

The Titans still have an elite offensive line but lost Jack Conklin to a torn ACL during the playoffs and could lose guard Josh Kline in free agency. The secondary made some strides after its truly horrendous 2016 season but could still use a third option alongside Logan Ryan and Adoree' Jackson.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: WR, CB

Terrelle Pryor Sr. was a huge bust last season, and while Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder weren't bad, the team could use a true No. 1 option for new quarterback Alex Smith. In order to obtain Smith, the team traded up-and-coming slot corner Kendall Fuller, and fellow corner Bashaud Breeland is a free agent.