Take a second to think about the fact we're 28 days away from the Oakland Raiders first preseason game. Just four more weeks, and then the players will be suited up on the field, squaring off against the Detroit Lions at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The thought of NFL action being less than a month away is tantalizing, and don't forget we've got Training Camp just around the corner. The Raiders' rookies will report to the team's Training Camp facility in Napa Valley, Calif., later this month, July 23 to be exact. They'll be joined by the veterans July 26, with practice officially starting July 27.
With the 2018 season approaching, let's take a second to look at the Raiders division rival's upcoming schedules.
Denver Broncos
Camp dates: July 28 – August 15
Location: UCHealth Training Center – Englewood, Colorado
Preseason Opponents: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, at Washington Redskins, at Arizona Cardinals
Broncos Head Coach Vance Joseph has lost a handful of playmakers this offseason, but the team added one in defensive end Bradley Chubb. The former member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack could be a terror going forward, especially when paired with Pro Bowler Von Miller. The public will get their first look at the duo during camp.
Kansas City Chiefs
Camp dates: July 26 – August 14
Location: Missouri Western State University – Saint Joseph, Missouri
Preseason Opponents: Houston Texans, at Atlanta Falcons, at Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers
Goodbye Alex Smith, hello Patrick Mahomes II.
After being shipped to the Washington Redskins, Smith will no longer represent Chiefs Kingdom, and Head Coach Andy Reid has now handed the keys of the offense to Mahomes. The former Texas Tech Red Raider showed potential towards the end of the 2017 campaign, and he'll have plenty of targets to throw to in his first year starting.
Sammy Watkins is the newest wide receiver to join the Chiefs receiving corps, and he could serve as a nice complement to fellow wide out Tyreek Hill. Expect Mahomes to heave a lot of deep balls this season.
Los Angeles Chargers
Camp dates: July 28 – August 23
Preseason Opponents: at Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, at San Francisco 49ers
Location: Jack Hammet Sports Complex – Costa Mesa, California
The Bolts made a splash in the 2018 NFL Draft by selecting Florida State safety Derwin James No. 17 overall, and the former Seminole is expected to make an impact right away. After going on a late season run in 2017, many NFL analysts are anticipating big things from the Chargers, but fighting for the top spot in the AFC West will be tough. The team will kick off camp at Jack Hammet Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, Calif.
