Quarterback Battles Have Delivered Real Drama

This preseason hasn’t lacked for quarterback intrigue:

• Minnesota Vikings: In one of the offseason’s biggest surprises, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray after his release from Arizona, immediately creating a competition with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Murray has since been named the Week 1 starter, leaving McCarthy to use extended preseason reps against the Giants to try to rebuild his trade value.
• Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, returning after nearly two years away following an Achilles tear, is competing directly with rookie Shedeur Sanders for the starting job — each was slated to start his own preseason game to settle the battle.
• Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. remain in limbo, with Tagovailoa coming off a rough 2025 season and Penix still working back from injury and not yet cleared for full contact.
• Pittsburgh Steelers: A behind-the-scenes dispute emerged between Aaron Rodgers, who wants to skip preseason game action, and head coach Mike McCarthy, who wants him on the field.

Rookies Are Already Making a Case

Several first- and second-year players have used the preseason to make immediate impressions:

• Ty Simpson (Rams) was efficient in his preseason debut, going 21-of-25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns as coach Sean McVay tested him with creative play designs.
• Carson Beck turned heads in the Hall of Fame Game, a performance that could accelerate Arizona’s quarterback decision-making timeline.
• Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders’ first-round pick, has drawn early buzz that could eventually pressure Kirk Cousins’ hold on the starting job.
• Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore’s third-round receiver, validated his training camp hype with a touchdown catch in Week 1 and looks like a legitimate complementary piece in the Ravens’ offense.
• Zavion Thomas (Bears) delivered the preseason’s most electric play so far — a 97-yard touchdown reception from backup QB Tyson Bagent in Week 3, reportedly hitting 21.99 mph on the play. Bagent finished that game 16-of-17 for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and a 156.9 passer rating.
• Undrafted and depth players like the Cowboys’ Camden Brown (two touchdown grabs in Week 1) and the Giants’ Malachi Fields, who connected with Jaxson Dart for a score, are pushing hard for roster spots.

Injuries and Absences Worth Monitoring

Health has been a recurring theme:

• Washington lost starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a triceps injury, thrusting third-year lineman Brandon Coleman into protecting rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
• Chicago’s secondary has been hit hard, with safety Coby Bryant expected out 4-6 months and cornerback Kyler Gordon on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
• Star names such as Patrick Mahomes, George Kittle, Malik Nabers, and Maxx Crosby are all being watched closely as they work back from injury, with their preseason availability seen as a signal for Week 1 readiness.
• In Tampa Bay, defensive lineman Vita Vea has been holding out amid a contract dispute.

New Coaches, New Systems, New Uniforms

Several head-coaching changes are reshaping preseason evaluation. John Harbaugh has taken over the Giants and brought an explicitly physical, “bully” mentality according to fullback Patrick Ricard, while in Chicago, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s scheme has looked dangerous even with backups running it — Chicago’s second-string offense piled up 320 passing yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 alone. The veteran movement has also been notable, with players including Myles Garrett, Dexter Lawrence, A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Waddle, Trey Hendrickson, Kenneth Walker III, Mike Evans, and Tyler Linderbaum all adjusting to new teams or new contracts heading into the season.

The Aaron Donald Watch

Perhaps the most fascinating subplot of the summer: three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has reportedly been working out at the Rams’ facility, fueling speculation about a potential comeback after retirement.

Roster Crunch Looms

As teams trim down to the 53-man limit, roughly 1,184 players are expected to be released across the league this cutdown period, with many landing on practice squads or waiting for injury-driven openings to reopen the door.

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Top 10 Conclusions From the 2026 NFL Preseason So Far

1. Kyler Murray has already won the Vikings’ starting job, a stunning turn after signing following his Cardinals release, pushing J.J. McCarthy into a “prove it for trade value” role.
2. The Browns’ QB battle is being handled with rare fairness — Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are each getting their own start to settle it.
3. Ben Johnson’s offensive system in Chicago looks dangerous even with backups, a strong sign for the Bears’ regular-season ceiling.
4. Zavion Thomas’ 97-yard touchdown was the single best highlight of the preseason, and Tyson Bagent quietly authored one of the best statistical lines (156.9 rating) of camp.
5. Ty Simpson’s efficient Rams debut has him firmly in the mix for meaningful playing time behind Sean McVay’s scheme.
6. Ja’Kobi Lane has emerged as a real complementary weapon for Baltimore, not just a camp buzz name.
7. Injury attrition is already reshaping several depth charts, most notably Washington’s offensive line and Chicago’s secondary.
8. The health of Mahomes, Kittle, Nabers, and Crosby remains a leaguewide storyline heading into Week 1, with their preseason snaps treated as a bellwether.
9. John Harbaugh’s arrival in New York signals a cultural reset for the Giants, built around physicality rather than a rebuild-by-committee approach.
10. Aaron Donald working out at the Rams’ facility has become the preseason’s most-watched wildcard, with a potential comeback looming over the rest of camp.