Extensive coverage of NFL training camps has long been a cornerstone of NFL Network’s programming. However, with ESPN recently striking a deal to acquire the league’s network rights, the future direction of NFL Network’s content is now uncertain. Still, given the massive surge in training camp viewership in 2025, it would be a smart move for ESPN to maintain — or even expand — this popular coverage.
On Friday, NFL Media posted on X that their coverage of NFL training camps across the league from July 26 to August 6 saw significant ratings gains compared to 2024. While they didn’t reveal exact viewership figures, NFL Media reported an overall 78 percent year-over-year increase during that period.
The first two days of NFL Network’s training camp coverage, branded as the Back Together Weekend special, were especially impressive, showing an 86 percent increase over 2024.
Some sports media voices, including Dan Patrick, J.J. Watt, and Nick Wright, have criticized training camp coverage for producing hot takes before any games have even been played. While those concerns are understandable, the sharp year-over-year surge in NFL Network’s viewership clearly indicates a strong appetite for comprehensive training camp content.
This trend could signal to ESPN that expanding training camp coverage may be a smart move, assuming, of course, that the ESPN-NFL Media deal clears regulatory approval from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.