“Oh yeah, Luke [Goedeke]. I go against Luke every day – I feel like we battle each and every day. He gets the best of me, and I get to grow from that. I get to learn and experience it from one of the best in the game right now, and I don’t take that for granted at all. I’m coming each and every day trying to get better anytime I can, and asking him for pointers, see what I’m giving away, [for example], today, as soon as I get off the field, I’m grabbing the iPad, running over to him, see what he sees, and go back to Yaya [Diaby], talk it all up and try to grow from that every time,” Bain said, via the team’s site. 

Bain feels like Tampa Bay is in a good place as they enter the preseason and that the team is improving every practice. 

“Yeah man, I feel like each and every day we’re getting better – no matter what is going to be the next obstacle – whether that is a game, a bye week, no matter what is going on, we[‘re] always getting better because it’s practice, we’re always going to come in each and every day and try to perfect our craft.”

As for his first NFL training camp, Bain said he’s focused on being himself, earning the trust of his teammates, and keep a growth mindset. 

“One, just being me. Two, earning the trust of my teammates, my coaches, [so they] know that even though I’m a young guy, they can still put me out there and expect me to play like my peers, if not better – [so,] I’m coming with that mindset to either elevate the defense or play to the standard that is on the defense.”

Falcons

Falcons rookie QB Jack Strand said he is trying to stay focused on the present as he handles an unexpected increase in first-team reps during training camp.

“One of the things I have been telling myself a ton,” Strand said, via The Athletic. “Be where your feet are. Just enjoy the moment. Don’t dwell on any success or any mistakes you might have had. Don’t look to the future or worry about what’s going to be happening in a couple weeks.’”

Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski praised Strand’s command of the offense, intelligence and ability to operate from the pocket.

“Jack continues to impress with his ability to command the offense, to get in and out of the huddle, get us in and out of run plays and pass plays,” Stefanski said. “He’s a very, very bright young man, and when you see him up close, he’s a big kid who can stand in the pocket and deliver.”

Strand said QB Michael Penix Jr. and QB Tua Tagovailoa have welcomed him into the quarterback room and treated him as an equal despite the competition for reps.

“Those guys are awesome, and they have been so welcoming to me,” Strand said. “Any questions I have, I know I can go to them, and they will help me out. It hasn’t felt like I’m lower in the QB room or whatever. They are treating me like any other QB. It’s been awesome to get a chance to work with them.”

Strand said his approach will remain the same regardless of how many reps he receives.

“I’m just taking it day by day, trying to attack every day, get better every day whether I’m getting a bunch of reps or not getting any reps,” he said. “The mindset doesn’t change, whatever reps I get. I just have to treat those reps like game reps because that’s how I get better and that’s how our team gets better.”

Panthers

Panthers QB Bryce Young is entering the final year of his rookie contract before playing under his fifth-year option in 2027. Executive Brandt Tilis thinks Young “ascended” last season and that they are still discovering what his ceiling is. 

“I would say he ascended last year and there’s still room for him to ascend,” Tilis said, via Joseph Person of The Athletic. “His ceiling currently is unknown, and I think that’s exciting for us. And he’s working hard to get himself there.”

Tillis is excited about Carolina’s potential in 2026. 

“The team is better. The coaches are good, and Bryce is putting in the work, too. So it’s all there. We’ll just see how the year plays out,” Tilis said. “I think we’re all really excited for what Bryce is gonna show and how the team’s gonna be.”

As for backup QB Kenny Pickett, HC Dave Canales said he brings a veteran mindset to their quarterback group. 

“A veteran player, so he knows how to work. He knows how to study and prepare,” Canales said. “He comes out, and all the checks are right, getting the protections the way you want. And then on top of that, just every day there seems to be some special throw down the field. He’s got that in his bag.”