How ‘Inside Training Camp’ Is the Best Gateway to the Start of the NFL Season

For the average person, beach days and sweltering temperatures signal the start of August. But for football fans, August means only one thing: the start of NFL training camps. And if those football fans watch TV, August also means the return of Inside Training Camp on NFL Network.

I caught this past Monday’s live edition of the program, hosted in studio by Rhett Lewis. He was joined by a host of NFL Network and ESPN reporters in the field at various team training sites.

Daniel Jeremiah opened the show live from the Dallas Cowboys’ camp in Oxnard, CA. Once again, the NFL’s most compelling team gave Jeremiah plenty to discuss. As he spoke about new arrivals on the roster, viewers got a live look at the Cowboys running through offensive and defensive drills.

This is one of the best parts of Inside Training Camp. The show gets fans fired up for the upcoming NFL season with visuals of training camp. Sunshine, rabid fans, tackling dummies and JUGS machines. Coaches bellowing instructions and blowing whistles. Equipment managers tweaking helmets and pads.

I love it all.

NFL Network’s Stacey Dales was up next, live from Packers training camp in Green Bay, interviewing Packers safety Xavier McKinney. Despite the loss of the talented Tom Pelissero in the recent layoffs, NFL Network still has a bevy of outstanding reporters. Dales is certainly one of them. She has an easygoing, personable interviewing style. Dales made McKinney feel comfortable as they talked about his development as a player and the Packers’ outlook for the upcoming season.

An interesting trio was next on this edition of Inside Training Camp. NFL Network’s Maurice Jones-Drew joined ESPN’s Alex Smith and 49ers President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch live from the team’s training camp in Santa Clara, California. Once again, San Francisco is battling injuries with a banged-up receiving corps. Ever the optimist, Lynch said that despite the injuries, he likes where the roster stands.

Back in Oxnard, Jeremiah interviewed an enthusiastic Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer. It was the first day of padded practice, and Schottenheimer revealed that the coaching staff eases players into workouts rather than throwing too much at them immediately.

The NFL Network and ESPN now essentially operating under the Disney umbrella. Moreover, the crossover of talent from both networks is in full force. Jeremiah welcomed ESPN’s Mina Kimes for a segment from the Chargers’ training camp in El Segundo, California. El Segundo is Spanish for “The Second,” which is fitting because the Chargers finished second in the AFC West last season. The team hopes to make the jump to division champion in 2026.

This segment put Kimes in a completely different role. Normally an analyst on NFL Live and other ESPN productions, she seemed a bit uneasy at first in the unfamiliar position of interviewer. It was a different vibe for her as she asked Khalil Mack what fans can expect from the Chargers’ defense this season.

NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo and analyst Brian Baldinger reported live from the Patriots’ training camp in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The pair conducted a lively interview with one of the newest threats in New England’s receiver room, A.J. Brown. The rejuvenated Brown was clearly pleased to be in New England.

“It’s been so much fun. Each and every day, we come to work with our hard hats on. Each and every day, you know, it’s a blessing,” said Brown.

Baldinger asked a key question about Brown’s relationship with Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel, who coached him in Tennessee. Brown predicted that his game is going to reach another level because of the support system Vrabel provides.

As always, the technical staff on Inside Training Camp supplied terrific, relevant graphics and statistics while adding excellent visual energy to the broadcast. Jones-Drew was front and center in a feature on the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl expectations. Since he serves as the Rams’ radio color analyst during the season, he offers unique insight into the team.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay — who, when he gets on a rant, is more intensely motivating than Tony Robbins, David Goggins, and Mel Robbins combined. He reflected on last year’s loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. Then looked ahead to the upcoming season. It was a strong feature, and Jones-Drew did a nice job as the reporter.

One of the more interesting interviews on this edition of Inside Training Camp featured Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. The All-Pro was traded to the Ravens during the offseason, but the deal was nixed because Crosby failed Baltimore’s team physical. In true fashion, Crosby showed up with nearly no fashion. He went completely bare-chested for the interview.

A definite future broadcasting star, Crosby remains one of the most candid, articulate, and engaging players in the NFL.

NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz and David Carr conducted the interview with Crosby from Raiders camp in Henderson, NV. To his credit, Carr jumped right in by asking Crosby about the ill-fated Ravens deal and his mindset now that he was back with Las Vegas. Crosby did not back down from that or any other question. He offered thoughtful, insightful answers throughout.

Inside Training Camp certainly gets around. Coming back from a break, viewers saw Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin looking sharp in drills as both players continued returning from injuries. ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler then interviewed McLaurin from Commanders camp in Ashburn, VA. Like Kimes, Fowler is not known as an interviewer, but he seemed relaxed and comfortable in the role.

Two hours into this three-hour edition of Inside Training Camp, Mike Yam and Mike Robinson took over studio duties. Yam is one of the best hosts on NFL Network, while Robinson can only be described as personality-plus, openly sharing his joy and passion for football with viewers. Yam then tossed to Insider Ian Rapoport, who was joined by veteran NFL Network personality Steve Wyche at Ravens camp in Owings Mills, MD.

I compare Wyche to ESPN’s Jay Harris. Both are consummate professionals who have been around for years, know exactly how to do their jobs, and consistently bring their A-game.

Fast-rising ESPN reporter Ben Solak was at Colts camp in Westfield, IN, discussing the return of Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones from a torn Achilles suffered in 2025. I like Solak a lot. He blends reporting and analysis exceptionally well and is going to be a staple at ESPN — or wherever else he chooses to be — for years to come.

Similarly, Inside Training Camp has become a summer staple on NFL Network. More importantly, it serves as a joyous reminder that the weekly drama that is NFL football has finally returned.

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John Molori

John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.

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