With a decrease in preseason games and the likelihood of an 18th regular-season contest, coaches have turned to creating their own game-specific scenarios.
While utopia doesn’t exist, joint practices might be the closest thing to it for coaches. The action is scripted to the last detail, with coaches from both teams working together to ensure their squads get the right amount of work in all areas.
It’s something that can’t be duplicated in a preseason game, where situational football is dictated by the score and clock, two things that don’t exist on the practice field. “I’m a big advocate of joint practices,” Titans coach Robert Saleh said during the AFC coaches breakfast at the owners meetings on Tuesday. “I don’t believe in two joint practices in one week, but I believe in one per team. I want three of them if we could, but I think they’re a really good way to have a game-like experience that’s controlled. It’s amplified; the intensity is a lot higher. To do it for one day, I think, is beneficial for the players, especially when you talk health and safety.”“That’s when the coaches and the players go into their meeting rooms, and they talk about how they just got their asses kicked, and then the next day is all about fighting. So it’s a waste of energy, a waste of time.”Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in joint practices, especially after the league shortened its preseason schedule from four games to three in 2021, when the regular season expanded to 17 contests. With fewer chances to see other teams and evaluate based on competition, coaches have turned to creating their own game-specific scenarios., a further reduction of the preseason slate could be on the horizon. If it happens, joint practices might become more important and prevalent than ever before. Last year alone, there were 24 joint practices during August. In 2024, there were 22, as coaches are seeing a consistent benefit of getting work done in ideal conditions, while also ramping up the intensity, something which can wane when cracking pads daily against the same teammate. To that point, Liam Coen is hoping to expand his team’s joint-practice profile. As a first-time coach, Coen wasn’t able to land the summer schedule that he hoped for with the Jaguars limited to a single joint practice with the in-state Dolphins. “, we chose to play our players in preseason games, which was against my inclination,”Coen says. “It was against my belief, let’s just put it that way. I just have a hard time putting a guy in a game that doesn’t technically count, like toward the real season and real competition, I guess you could call it. Those games that really don’t matter at the end of the day, that’s reality. I have a hard time putting somebody in a game for an exhibition like that. My preference would be to do joint and not play them.” While preseason games are unlikely to ever completely disappear because of the revenue they generate through ticket sales, local TV deals and gameday purchases, the younger wave of coaches, including Coen, is moving further away from treating them as legitimate. In recent years, many coaches have kept star players out of preseason games almost entirely, instead letting them sit on the sidelines until Week 1 to preserve their bodies. This has been true with Nick Sirianni in Philadelphia and Sean McVay in Los Angeles, among others, who have combined for two titles and four Super Bowl appearances over the past eight seasons. If the season grows once more, you can bet more rest will be coming. In Indianapolis, Colts coach Shane Steichen also sees the benefit of practicing against another team periodically in the summer. Steichen, who put the Colts through joint practices with the Ravens and Packers last year, believes it is an opportunity to work on specific packages and situations, ranging from third-down offense and red zone to two-minute drills for offense and defense. “I enjoy joint practices, to be honest,” Steichen says. “I think it gives our guys an opportunity to see some new faces during training camp. Training camp is long, but it also gives them a chance to go against new schemes offensively and defensively and special teams. It brings out the competitive nature of those guys in a controlled environment, where guys aren’t being tackled to the ground. I think it brings out the best in both teams when you have those joint practices.”Last year, the Bengals were one of three teams not to participate in a joint practice after having one with the Colts in mid-August the year before. The only other two were the Saints and Chiefs. Kansas City is the only team not to participate in a joint practice over the past two seasons, as coach Andy Reid has never had one scheduled since taking over the Chiefs in 2013. Bengals coach Zac Taylor explained that not holding one in 2025 was more about focusing on installing the defense under new coordinator Al Golden. While it’s obviously uncertain, there could be a return to practicing with another team this summer. “You get a chance to control the environment,” Taylor says. “Get on the same page with the other coach, map out some situations you want to make sure you hit. If it doesn’t go exactly how you want it, you can repeat the drill. Whereas in a game, you’re at the mercy of how the game is going to flow.” When the training camp schedules come out in June, keep an eye on the number of joint practices, as most NFL teams will be scheduling them in the coming months. If there’s anything coaches love beyond winning, it’s controlling the environment, and to that end, nothing compares to a joint practice.Matt Verderame is a national NFL staff writer for Sports Illustrated, writing features, columns and more. Before joining Sports Illustrated in March 2023, Verderame wrote for FanSided and SB Nation. He’s a proud husband to Stephanie and father of two girls, Maisy and Genevieve. In his spare time, Verderame is an avid collector of vintage baseball cards.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Everything You Need To Know About Browns Joint Practice Opponent This PreseasonThe Cleveland Browns have locked in plans for their joint practices this offseason. Here's everything that you need to know.
Read more »
Our personal standards of politeness and social discomfort when interacting with AI.Why do we feel compelled to be nice to artificial intelligence bots?
Read more »
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan push joint action to bolster regional security amid Iranian attacksGulf leaders warn that the targeting of vital and civilian facilities 'constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability.'
Read more »
Why Disney still needs Epic GamesTwo years ago, Walt Disney Co. made a big bet on Epic Games. Despite the 'Fortnite' developer's layoffs last week, that investment is still as important as ever.
Read more »
Bam Adebayo Confronted Joel Embiid About His Fouling Practices During Latest Sixers LossThings are not looking good in Philadelphia as the 76ers lost to the Heat on Monday.
Read more »
Medical Professionals' Hygiene Pet Peeves: The Practices They Wish Patients Would AdoptHealthcare workers share their biggest hygiene frustrations, revealing the surprising and sometimes unpleasant realities of patient care, from belly button cleaning to foot care and more. They offer practical advice and highlight the importance of basic hygiene for overall health.
Read more »