Southern California has been the place to be for multiple NFL teams to hold their training camp.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Rams are the local teams, and the Dallas Cowboys have had camp in Oxnard for years. The Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints decided to join the party this offseason.
Both newcomers took over the location that previously held the Chargers and Rams training camps.
The Saints used UC Irvine, where the Rams held their camp for multiple seasons before shifting to LMU this season. The Raiders used Jack Hammett Sports Complex, which the Chargers have used since they moved up in 2017.
The only difference between the Raiders and Saints is that they weren't allowed to promote their practices or have local fans in attendance.
Per ESPN, the NFL rule states: "Every club has an exclusive home territory extending 75 miles in all directions from the exterior corporate borders of the city for which it holds a franchise. If another club holds its preseason training camp within that exclusive territory, then it cannot be marketed locally."
The Raiders did have some people there, but it was "invited guests" only. The Saints completely closed it off, only friends and family.
Here is what was seen and heard at all five training camps:
Los Angeles Chargers
Where: El Segundo.
When: July 24.
On the field: There is a lot of excitement about what this Chargers team will look like under Jim Harbaugh. There are new receivers, running backs, tight ends, coaching staff, and a new facility. So, things have changed for the team since they last took the field.
There were no pads that day, but Herbert passed plenty of touchdowns to DJ Chark, Joshua Palmer, and Ladd McConkey. There was also a lot of interest in what first-round pick Joe Alt would look like, and right off the bat, he is a mountain of a man.
The defense features returning Derwin James, Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack and some new faces like Bud Dupree, Kristian Fulton, and Poona Ford. The pass rushers gave the offensive line some work.
After practice, they worked out for about 20-25 minutes with executive director of player performance Ben Herbert and his staff. The workouts are intriguing because they divide the team up, with some in the weight room and the other half outside, and then switch. Watching Herbert work up close has been interesting, which players have been raving about so far.
Fan experience: The Chargers facility features three fields, but they practice more on the two closer to the fans. Fans have a much closer view of what happens during practice, unlike when they were at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa.
The Chargers feature tents with worn or older gear for pretty cheap. Fans were very excited to come out of the tents with gear. They also have numerous food trucks for fans to enjoy.
After practice, various players line up to sign autographs. Quarterback Justin Herbert starts at a certain point and makes his way down the line, signing for fans. Even Harbaugh interacts with fans and signs autographs.
Quote of the day: "It's like New Year's Day. It feels like being born. It feels like coming out of the womb. You're in there. It's comfortable and safe, and now you're out. You're born. Lights are on, it's bright, chaos, people looking at you, people talking at you, and it just feels good to have it happen." -Jim Harbaugh said.
Music: There was music during the individual portion, but there wasn't any during the practice. This is a Jim Harbaugh rule.
Las Vegas Raiders
Where: Costa Mesa
When: July 26.
On the field: Wherever the quarterback battle is now, it is different from what was seen on this day at Raiders camp. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell were unwatchable. They struggled during their portion of 11-on-11 and couldn't find their footing.
The defense they face features one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. There were no pads, but Wilkins was coming through almost at will while Crosby was in both quarterbacks' faces almost on every play.
They threw off both quarterbacks to the point that several media members checked their notes and noticed during red zone 11-on-11 that star receiver Davante Adams didn't touch the ball once.
The Raiders will be interesting to watch this season, especially considering the possibility of the quarterback position being a revolving door between both players.
Fan experience: Only a select few "invited guests" were allowed to turn out for the Raiders' practice, and they were a loud bunch. Anytime a play was made, they got loud. When head coach Antonio Pierce walked over to the media tent, they all yelled out, "RAAAAIIIDERS!" and he got a chuckle out of it.
The setup was different from the way the Chargers used it from 2017-2023. When walking into the field, there are three tents on your left-hand side for the team's media, the photographers, and the regular media that cover the team. Doing interviews in the tent was a little uncomfortable because it was a little cramped, but it is what it is.
Next to the media tent was the area for a select number of fans, which was tarped, so the Raiders protected their supporters. After that, the tent was a special section for family and guests. Sitting there was a very special guest master chef, Guy Feiri, who would prepare a special team meal for the players later that evening.
The Raiders put all fields to work as they had five separate fields, and the Chargers only used three. They also had a massive tent in the far parking lot with a full-weight room for the players to use after practice.
Quote of the day: "We're doing what's called spatchcock turkey," Fieri explained. "So we split turkeys and roasting them and smoking them. Doing a bunch of pork butts. I'm a big Nacho guy, and there's not anybody that's playing that does not love a nacho. So we have this big Nacho bar that we're building, and we did all the pulled pork and the fresh chips. Then we're also doing a variety of sausages, got a whole big and then just a bunch of really cool side stuff that we do, like the Mac Daddy Mac and Cheese. It'll be quite the spread."
Music: There was music more 90s and early 00's hip hop/rap, but it was on at random times. During special teams, there was no music, but during 11-on-11, there was, so it was interesting.
New Orleans Saints
Where: Irvine
When: July 27.
On the field: The Saints are an interesting team because it feels like a "make it or break it" year for head coach Dennis Allen. Since taking over for Sean Payton, they have been an average team that hasn't made the playoffs.
A lot is riding on this year, but they have a team that should be able to compete for the NFC South. They are mixing veteran players like Tyrann Mathieu and Cam Jordan with some up-and-comers.
Three players stood out during practice: rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, undrafted rookie free agent receiver Mason Tipton, and rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Rattler and Tipton put on a show connecting multiple times, but for the rookie quarterback, he looked confident in the pocket and scrambled when necessary.
Yes, there are no pads, but the rookie quarterback could be QB2 after the preseason, especially if he continues to improve.
McKinstry is a Nick Saban product, so he is long, fast, and aggressive. He was able to make a play on receiver Rashid Shaheed during 7-on-7, knocking the ball out of his hands. He also got to cover Chris Olave and did a nice job on him. He is going to face growing pains, but he is facing two players who will make him better.
Fan experience: No fans were allowed at the practice, so it was almost dead silent. The Saints had a similar setup to the Rams, who had training camp there for years. The Rams did allow the media to be on the field, which the Saints didn't, but that is because there were no fans. Family members were allowed to watch.
Quote of the day: This quote is different because it is long, but by now, everyone knows the legend of Taysom Hill, the man who plays every position possible for the New Orleans Saints. They added a fullback to the list, so he discusses the many hats he wears for the Saints.
"Our defensive guys will come up to me and make jokes, like, 'Where are you playing today?'" Hill said. "Like, we don't know how to call your personnel (on offense) when we're in the huddle, and they're saying, 'Hey, (No) 7 is in the huddle,' so they have to be able to know that that can mean a lot of different things. So the more I can do there, the more I can do other places, I think it just makes us harder to defend.
"At the end of the day, we're all chasing an experience. We're all chasing an expectation in the NFL. I don't care who you are, what team you're on, the expectation doesn't change: The expectation is to win, the expectation is to play in the postseason. We've talked about this in the past – when you're on a team that wins and you go on this postseason run, you become part of NFL history. At the end of the day, that's all that matters. That's all we're chasing."
Music: Same as the Chargers, only music for warm-ups and individual, but after that, no music.
Los Angeles Rams
Where: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
When: July 30.
On the field: The Rams feature one of the best young head coaches in the NFL, Sean McVay. He has already won a Super Bowl and is trying to do it again but with a much younger team.
This was quarterback Matthew Stafford's first day in pads. He just had his contract readjusted for this season, so who knows what will happen after this year, but he was throwing some nice passes.
It seems like the Rams' offense could be different this year, featuring a more aggressive running attack with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Both ran exceptionally well that day and kept finding holes in the defense.
Their passing attack features motions, screens, and the middle of the open receiver. Speaking of receivers, Puka Nacua is impressive to watch, and he seems to always be open.
The defense is where all the mystery lies with this team because they are young, hungry, and fast. Cornerback injuries have slowed them down, but one player who stood out back there was cornerback Tre'Davious White, a free agent signing from Buffalo. He kept swatting the ball down or pressing the receivers. It is a well-known fact around the league that White has the talent, but staying healthy has been a tough task.
There is no more Aaron Donald, but that defensive line is impressive. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III was in the backfield consistently, while Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner kept consistent pressure on Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo.
The defense is going to be a must-watch, especially if they can continue to mold the young players and help them come into their own.
Fan experience: Many fans were there to check out their team, and they used their voices. It was loud during the whole practice.
The setup by the Rams was brilliant because it was one field, so fans could see the whole thing in the bleachers while family and guests were on the opposite side with the tarp up.
Various big names were at practice, including former Rams running back Todd Gurley. Co-hosts and former NFL players LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson were interviewing Nacua and White for their show, "The 25/10 Show."
Quote of the day: “He’s got great versatility; so smart. He really understands the defense from an all-11 perspective. … I think he can do a lot of different things in both the run phase and defending the pass,” Sean McVay said of safety Quentin Lake. The third year player had an interception of Jimmy Garoppolo and was matched up against Kupp most of the time holding his own.
Music: There was music during the whole practice, with many different artists, from Chris Brown to Kendrick Lamar.
Dallas Cowboys
Where: Oxnard
When: Aug. 8.
On the field: The Cowboys were the most entertaining stop in the training camp tour. Yes, they are "America's team," but it happened to be a joint practice with the Rams.
It is well known that Cowboys fans always state, "This is our year," and believe in their team. Heck, even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said during the offseason that the team was "all in," but isn't every team?
Dallas is missing receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is holding out for a new contract. It is more on him making an impact without being present in a minute.
The Cowboys' offense was surprising because they took a more run-heavy approach on Thursday evening. The return of Ezekiel Elliott meant it would take a gang of defensive players to bring him down, but he looked like the old Zeke even though he put the ball on the ground once.
They also featured Rico Dowdle in their running attack, in which he took advantage of the Rams' defense.
All eyes this offseason, season, and possibly the offseason are on quarterback Dak Prescott.
Why?
The Cowboys quarterback hasn't signed a new deal and has said he won't talk about it once the season starts. He could be heading for a breakup next offseason with multiple suitors willing to pay him $60 million a year.
Prescott used fake handoffs and play-action to get the passing game going, finding receiver Brandin Cooks open for multiple passes down the field. Cooks quietly put together a nice season in 2023 and could be Prescott's go-to if Lamb waits out the Cowboys.
The Rams' defensive line seemed to be consistently pushed against the Cowboys' offensive line. They do still have all-pro guard Zach Martin, but the days of the dominant Cowboys line aren't there, as Mike McCarthy is looking to rebuild it.
Fan experience: The Oxnard location features two fields, so the Cowboys and Rams fans in attendance watched the Cowboys' offense face the Rams' defense. It was the Cowboys' defense against the Rams' offense on the far field.
There were numerous food trucks, merchandise-selling tents, and activities for fans to participate in.
They have VIP sections for special fans with their own food and drinks.
The best feature? Jones and his family are standing or sitting in a tower that oversees both fields, so Jones would switch from watching his offense then his defense.
Quote of the day: "I don't know. I don't have a sense of urgency about getting it done. Put any reason you want. I was at Nobu two days ago. Give that as the reason. Whatever you want to put out there," Jones said about getting a deal done with Lamb.
The Cowboys receiver responded by sampling and tweeting "LOL," which was retweeted by teammate pass rusher Micah Parsons, who will soon knock on Jones' door and want to be paid.
Prescott told reporters after practice in a joking manner, "I can tell you I got a sense of urgency for it to happen."
The Cowboys have grabbed the headlines yet again, and yet again, they aren't in the best of ways.
Music: During warmups and at random times during practice, music was played. However, the music was cut off when both teams broke into their 11 on 11.
Final verdict
It was great to see multiple training camps in Southern California especially because it also gives them an opportunity to have joint practices. Don't be surprised if more teams don't head out west, especially with a city with no NFL team and no restrictions that could host multiple camps.