The offseason has finally come to an end as the Oakland Raiders reported to Napa, Calif. for 2019 Training Camp this week.
Despite coming off a 4-12 season, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Raiders this year after a very successful offseason.
The biggest addition for the Raiders was All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown, who they acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown is perhaps the best wide receiver in all of football, and he spent all summer working out with his new teammates, particularly Derek Carr, to start building some chemistry with his new quarterback.
Brown also signed a contract extension after being traded to the Raiders, so he will be with the organization long-term and won’t be holding out at all.
The 31-year-old showed up to Training Camp on Friday morning, and as most star players do, he showed up in style. In honor of his first camp in Napa, Brown showed up in a hot air balloon:
Float like a butterfly, sting like AB.#RaiderNation X @AB84 pic.twitter.com/68X0EWlDRp
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) July 26, 2019
Not only does Brown showing up to camp signify that football is officially back, but it also signifies optimism in the Raiders organization that they can get back to playoff contention as early as this season.
In addition to Brown, the Raiders also brought in wide receivers Tyrell Williams, J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant, safety Lamarcus Joyner and linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall this offseason. They also had a number of high draft picks, including three in the first round where they took defensive end Clelin Ferrell, running back Josh Jacobs and safety Johnathan Abram.
Along with Carr, Brown is expected to take on a bit of a leadership role for a young Raiders team that doesn’t have a lot of postseason experience.
Everything that goes on in Training Camp this year will be documented to the public with the Raiders being featured on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks,’ which is set to premiere on Aug. 6.
