The NFL rookie season has arrived! Newcomers are taking the lead and making their mark, as they adjust and flourish within the often chaotic and exuberant spirit of inexperience that permeates so many new administrations. Players including Nick Martin, Josh Conerly Jr., and Tyler Warren recounted their favorite moments from their first month. They shared candidly about their rookie minicamps and the lessons they’ve learned during their journeys to get to this point.
Nick Martin made his NFL debut last weekend, wearing the 45 jersey in the rookie minicamp with the 49ers. His first day at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara was May 8. That morning, he’d flown from Oklahoma City to Denver, then out to San Francisco. The anticipation was palpable as Martin sat quietly in a mostly empty locker room ahead of his first practice on May 9.
I think that was the first time I went, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m really here.’ Martin opened up here as he thought back on his rookie experience entering the real NFL gauntlet. His enthusiasm was evident as he expressed, “Man, this is a blessing. This is amazing.”
The first day of rookie camp was a whirlwind for Martin and his new compatriots. They jumped from positional to defensive to team meetings. They learned technical skills, regulatory knowledge and the project management skills that would become vital to their careers. That evening, they had a dinner together before reassembling for another session.
For one, it provided many moments of levity as Josh Conerly Jr. realized the absurdity of his own rookie situation. He had a 45 jersey hanging in his cubicle, eagerly flipping it around to see his name emblazoned in big red letters. On the field, he shared, “It gets hard after three or four minutes, to be honest.” He appreciated the importance of teamwork, stating, “It was cool, knowing that you all have to be on the same page, hear the same communication, and you just have to move as one at all times.”
Conerly further described his appreciation for their head coach, Dan Quinn. “One thing that kind of stands out to me about Coach Quinn is doing hard … I’m going to say ‘stuff’ with good people,” he remarked.
On a more fun note, Warren recalled one of the more entertaining experiences from camp when Fred Warner ceremoniously welcomed the 49ers rookies to the NFL. “It was super dope. Meeting him, everybody kind of was chill and then once he walked away everybody started laughing, like, ‘That was Fred Warner!’” Martin recounted.
The competition for spots increased when the Navy SEALs came on board May 10. Their being there somehow created this impulse that indomitable motivation and energy found its way among the newcomers. After lunch, the SEALs spent another 30 minutes interacting with the rookies. They touched on grit and mindset, focusing on the commitment it takes to train like a SEAL. Ahmed Hassanein found the experience particularly enriching. “I was just like, ‘Man, this is great,’” he said after the session, recalling his initial response on joining.
Dan Quinn has customarily welcomed the Navy SEALs to speak to players during his philosophy in Atlanta, and in addition his time in Washington. So this year’s experience — which included a focus on resilience and collaboration — was truly inspiring for many of the rookies who got to participate.
Without a doubt, Shemar Turner took the sharpest approach during his time at the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp. He even refused the offered golf cart ride from the team facility to the practice fields. Instead, he decided to take the long walk with his brothers in the league. This decision proved his willingness to really dive into the experience.
These first year players are going deep into their NFL orientation. Along the way, they face intimidating physical obstacles and intellectual barriers requiring adaptation and transformation. Nonetheless, their journeys are only beginning. Behind their eyes, you can tell that their reflections reveal a deep appreciation for collaboration, grit, and the power of mentorship.
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