NFL teams are enjoying their summer breaks before practices ramp up again in mid-July. This time of year might be the slowest of the offseason-it's the final extended break until February. Training camp will begin for all 32 clubs in about 3 weeks. Rookies will report first, and veterans will follow a couple days after. Teams like the Cleveland Browns are taking this slow period to announce new fan events, like the eight open training camp days.
The Browns announced eight free open training camp days for fans to come and watch practice. The first open session will be on Friday, July 25th, with the last opportunity for fans on Monday, August 4th. Gates will open one hour before each session. Most practices will start at 2 pm save for three-Saturday, July 26th, Wednesday, July 30th, and Saturday, August 2nd will start at 9:30.
Attending Browns fans will see the return of the fan favorite Puppy Pound, the 40 yard dash, and the Browns Pro Shop that will carry exclusive gear celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the Dawg Pound. Fans will also have food trucks from all around Northeast Ohio. Additionally, each open practice session will have theme days:
Dawg Pound XL on Friday, July 25th
Back Together Weekend on Saturday, July 26th
University Hospitals Rainbow Day on Monday, July 28th
Military Appreciation on Tuesday, July 29th
Stay In the Game! Attendance Network on Wednesday, July 30th
Youth Football on Friday, August 1st
Browns Backers on Saturday, August 2nd
Tickets will become available to the public on Thursday, July 3rd at 10 am after a 24-hour window given to season ticket holders on Wednesday, July 3rd. Each season ticket account will be limited to four tickets for one practice and they cannot claim multiple practices.
The team will begin joint practices the week after the last open practice for fans, first against the Carolina Panthers from August 6th-8th and then the Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles the following week from August 13th-16th.
Browns fans will be eager to see how the revamped running back room will shake out. The running back group sees Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong return with rookie top 40 pick Quinshon Judkins slated to lead the rushing attack. Fourth round rookie Dylan Sampson also figures to see work in the rotation as the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year at Tennessee.
Many fans and national media will also be watching the quarterback competition. Veteran and fan favorite Joe Flacco figures to be the starter, at least to begin the season. But the Browns seem to like Kenny Pickett, trading a fifth round pick for him before the draft. They also added Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth. Every throw, especially from the rookies, will be scrutinized or hyped as fans and media try to predict who will be the Browns future at the position.