The AFC East heads into 2026 training camp with a clear hierarchy shift still settling and plenty of new voices in charge. Veterans report by the end of July across the division. Specifically, the Bills and Dolphins are opening at their usual upstate New York and South Florida sites. While the Patriots were back in Foxborough a few days earlier, the Jets were settling into Florham Park.
Last season, the Patriots finally ended Buffalo’s long run atop the division and reached the Super Bowl. The Bills remained dangerous, the Jets struggled, and Miami began a full reset. The offseason only accelerated those NFL future odds storylines.
Buffalo enters the Joe Brady era after promoting its offensive coordinator and parting ways with Sean McDermott. Following another strong regular season that ended in the divisional round. Most of the roster returns, led by Josh Allen, and the new head coach inherits a group already built to contend.
The biggest schematic change sits on defense. To show, Jim Leonhard takes over and shifts the unit toward a 3-4 base after years in McDermott’s 4-3. Bradley Chubb arrives as a key free-agent addition to strengthen the pass rush. That is after Gregory Rousseau led the team with just seven sacks a year ago.
Meanwhile, on offense, the Bills traded for DJ Moore to give Allen a reliable No. 1 receiver and help develop the younger pieces in the room. Brady’s first camp will set the tone for a franchise that has been close for years. But Buffalo currently carries the expectation of finally taking the final step. The pressure is real, but few new head coaches take over a roster in a better position.
2026 AFC East Training Camp Preview
Miami is in the early stages of a complete rebuild under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Accordingly, both arrived from the Green Bay staff. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle are gone.
Now the roster carries a heavy dead-cap load, leaving the team thin on proven talent. Malik Willis signed a three-year deal to take over at quarterback. Following flashes as a backup in Green Bay. At the same time, De’Von Achane remains a centerpiece in the backfield. The wide receiver group is a collection of unproven or reclamation names. In turn, several high draft picks are expected to play early out of necessity.
Overall, the camp will reveal how quickly the new staff can install its culture. And whether Willis can develop chemistry with a supporting cast that offers little margin for error. This is an online wagering season for evaluation more than contention. The draft class and Willis’s development as the primary measuring sticks.
New England returns as the defending AFC East champion and Super Bowl runner-up. Caused by Drake Maye coming off a breakout season. The Patriots addressed the lack of a true No. 1 receiver by trading for A.J. Brown. In turn, Brown quickly began building chemistry with Maye in the spring.
The Patriots open camp earlier than most and will look to carry last year’s NFL betting momentum forward. They will also integrate the new weapons and settle the remaining roster questions.
The Jets continue their bridge approach at quarterback by acquiring Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders. Following a disappointing 2025 season in which he led the league in interceptions. The Jets hope the 35-year-old can recapture the form he showed in Seattle a few years earlier, when he pushed the ball downfield effectively. A young supporting cast features several high draft picks expected to contribute immediately. Including edge rusher David Bailey and tight end Kenyon Sadiq.