2026 Preseason Week 1 Takeaways
Two teams kicked off the preseason last week, but NOW it’s officially preseason week 1. All 32 teams participated, and we learned a LOT! Buffalo broke in their awful new stadium (Highmark) and their excellent new receiver (DJ Moore; 3/61). Every team opened the boxes that are their new rookies and free agents. QB competitions got underway (with one ending rather prematurely). Thirty-one teams reached the end zone at least once (sorry Chiefs)! That gives us plenty to talk about, with our usual preseason focus points. Expect to hear a lot about rookies in the coming weeks, and enjoy my preseason week 1 takeaways!
Two of the Top Draft Three Picks Face Off in Desert Showdown
Normally, we group all of the rookie QBs into this first takeaway. However, this year’s class isn’t particularly notable in that regard, and zero rookie QBs may start week 1. Therefore, we’ll hit on them more in the Rookie Watch. I’m sure you all especially want to see Raiders #1 pick Fernando Mendoza though, so let’s do it! Kirk Cousins (5/6, 50 yards, TD) got the start and was excellent, so he shouldn’t have to worry about Mendoza taking his job. I don’t think the rookie played well enough to do that anyway, but it was a solid start. He finished 10/16 for 97 yards and a TD that came on a good zip pass to convert a slant route.
The positives for Mendoza were clear. He moved well in the pocket, played pretty decisively, and showed poise. After the game, he was very critical of his own performance, which should endear him to his teammates, but I don’t think he was accurate in his assessment. For a first-time pro, Mendoza’s play was quite solid. He’s the first #1 overall QB to throw a TD in his debut since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Mendoza is on the right path, but Cousins is the better QB at this time. That’s not a slight at all. I love how the Raiders are slow-playing his development to make sure he’s good and ready before he gets tossed into the fire.
LV’s opponents, the Cardinals, had a top-3 pick of their own making his debut. That would be RB Jeremiyah Love (11/58), the highly controversial #3 overall selection. Love struggled at first but soon found his footing, ripping off several strong runs in succession. His style has been described as Adrian Peterson-esque, and though that’s hyperbole, Love had a good performance. Unfortunately, he already hurt his ankle and will miss a week. That reminds me of his injuries at Notre Dame. Love plays considerably worse when his legs aren’t right, so that could be concerning. Regardless, he had a fun first game as a Cardinal.
I must note a caveat about both teams’ offensive performances: their offenses went up against two bad defenses and backups. We didn’t get to see Carson Beck have a rematch with Mendoza after his great Hall of Fame Game due to an injury, but it didn’t matter. Whoever played QB for Arizona in the first half excelled; Cardinals passers went 15/15 in the first half and 26/30 overall. Their only offensive letdown was 2nd-round rookie G Chase Bisontis tearing his MCL. Las Vegas met a little more resistance (at least Aidan O’Connell (4/13, 85 yards) did). Therefore, Mendoza’s showing looks a little more impressive.
Bengals Offense Operating Under Center for a Change
In an effort to avoid the slow starts of seasons past, the Bengals opted to play their starters for almost a full quarter. That unit only put up 3 points against the backups of the Lions, but that wasn’t the main takeaway. Differing greatly from their normal offensive approach, which relies on a ton of shotgun formations, Cincinnati decided to implement a bunch of plays with QB Joe Burrow lined up under center. The idea here is twofold: QBs in the gun tend to get hurt more often, and formations such as the I and singleback help the running game, as the RB can pick up some steam before taking possession of the football.
As much as I love the concept and think it could work in the regular season, it didn’t pay dividends against Detroit. The running game never truly got going. Starting RB Chase Brown (5/16) averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, and the team as a whole managed 3.1 YPC. This wasn’t a case of poor field vision or an inability to break a tackle. Bengals backs didn’t find many holes to work with. Worse still, Burrow (5/6, 39 yards) took a big sack. It was one you don’t want your star QB taking in the preseason. Those things combined tell me that the offensive line struggled. If that sounds like a critique from 2025, 2024, and beyond, you’re right.
Cincinnati’s offensive line has been a problem since Burrow entered the league in 2020. Most seasons, the issue has been clear: a lack of talent. This time around, I can’t make that claim. Orlando Brown Jr and Amarius Mims should make for a great tackle duo. The interior of the line has been remade. Yet Burrow was under duress once again. For all of the talk about the expected improvement on the Bengals’ defense, that won’t matter if the QB can’t stay upright. This team’s hopes run through their offense, and as long as Burrow is standing, that unit will be good. Keeping him standing appears to be the hard part.
Patriots Presented with Kicking Problem in 13-13 Tie with Colts
For the second consecutive year, we had a tie during the preseason! This one never should’ve been a reality though. Both of Indianapolis’ QBs played poorly. Anthony Richardson (11/14, 145 yards, INT, FUM; 6/53/1 rushing) had much rosier stats than his tape would suggest. He’s not making a case for a team to trade for him. Riley Leonard (10/21, 89 yards, INT) was somehow worse. He threw the ugliest Hail Mary that I’ve ever seen, and the play took out his special teams coach! New England’s offense did not play a whole lot better, but they at least sustained some drives and moved the football on occasion.
The Patriots failed to pay off several of those drives though because of K Andres Borregales. His overall stats were good last year as a rookie, but I recall him missing some very untimely kicks. In this game, he missed several. In the first quarter, I could forgive him for hooking a 56-yarder. Those are difficult, but the shank did ruin an 11-play drive. I was less forgiving of Borregales’ miss from 55 yards out in the third quarter. He should’ve learned from the first attempt, but he hooked that one left as well. Fair or not, kickers are judged by their long-range attempts. The game’s best can make FGs from 60+ yards, so that’s now the standard.
Regardless of his prior misses, Borregales had a chance to atone at the end of the game. With the game tied at 13, all he had to do was make a 49-yard FG, and the prior failures would’ve been forgotten. You’ll never guess where the kick ended up…wide left. That set up Leonard’s failure of a Hail Mary and resulted in a tie. Going 2/5 on FGs is a bad day for a kicker, but it’s extra bad when your misses are the difference between a win and a disappointing outcome. Every team can expect close games throughout a season, and kicking will thus surely matter. New England must decide whether they have the right man for the job.
Three QB Competitions Sitting in Very Different Places (All Bad)
A major subplot of this year’s preseason concerns the three QB1 battles taking place around the league. Spoiler alert: they aren’t going on because the associated teams are happy with their options. First off, we have the team that made their choice. Minnesota did what we all expected and named free agent signee Kyler Murray their starter for week 1. Even after a reportedly dreadful practice a couple of days earlier, we knew that JJ McCarthy wouldn’t seriously challenge for the job. We’re at the point of declaring McCarthy a sunk cost as a first-round pick. Murray isn’t likely the answer either, but he’s serviceable.
Atlanta’s competition is ongoing, but one man appears to be competing against himself. Former top-10 pick Michael Penix Jr continues to rehab from a torn ACL and has not been cleared to play yet. That left newcomer Tua Tagovailoa with the job to lose. He didn’t lose it, but he didn’t help himself. Facing a ferocious Broncos defense, he went 3/5 for 22 yards and put up no points. He also dropped a snap but retained possession. Going up against that particular opponent was a rough draw, but it’s clear that Tagovailoa isn’t yet comfortable in Atlanta’s scheme. Fortunately for him, he may win the job by default.
Finally, we have the Browns. The infamous Deshaun Watson got the start this week, while 2nd-year pro Shedeur Sanders will start next week’s game. For his first game back since 2024, Watson (11/15, 126 yards, FUM) looked alright. He didn’t take any risks, completing zero passes of 10+ air yards. Watson also lost a fumble on a 4th-down strip sack, but that was about the same as an incompletion given the down. He led Cleveland to all 10 of their points, while Sanders (6/11, 79 yards, INT) committed an ugly turnover on an overthrow. Sanders made the best throw of the day, however, a 35-yard beauty to WR Luke Floriea.
If I had to declare a leader, I’d say it’s Watson. Coach Todd Monken sure seemed pleased with him, and he had the most efficient day. Every QB that played for the Browns in this game had a turnover (not good), but Watson’s was the least detrimental one. Sanders remains a clear work in progress, and while he should probably start so Cleveland can see what they have before next year’s draft, it seems like this is a true merit-based competition. In that case, Watson gives the team its best chance to win, making him the likeliest man to start week 1. Sanders will have an opportunity to change that next week against Buffalo.
Rookie Watch
Get ready for a long section, because a LOT of rookies made their presences felt this week. If you don’t see someone you were expecting, check above, as they may have been covered already. We’ll start here with the non-Mendoza QBs, and everyone is talking about Pittsburgh’s Drew Allar. Going against 3rd- and 4th-stringers, he showed some good things. Allar (10/13, 153 yards, 2 TDs; 2/9/1 rushing) has always possessed arm talent, but decision-making and accuracy eluded him. The penalty-prone Packers provided him with endless first downs, which enabled him to compile some very nice stats.
The more notable debut in my opinion was the Rams’ surprising first-round pick: QB Ty Simpson. With the understanding that he threw most passes short, Simpson (21/25, 190 yards, 2 TDs) was efficient, and he moved well within and outside the pocket. He definitely outplayed Stetson Bennett IV. Other QBs who played well were Tampa’s Jalon Daniels (10/15, 111 yards; 3/9/1 rushing) and the Jets’ Cade Klubnik (5/7, 56 yards). The former is fighting for a roster spot, while the latter deserves to be NY’s primary backup. If the Jets fall out contention, maybe Klubnik should even start some games later in the season.
At RB, Washington had two rookies tote the rock: 6th-rounder Kaytron Allen (23/85/1) and UDFA Robert Henry Jr (12/75/1). Allen was a plodder in college, and it showed. Henry was the one who provided a lot more burst. Las Vegas’ Mike Washington (6/63) had an average day, but a 53-yard burst showed off his wheels. The toughest rookie runner of the week was the Chiefs’ Emmett Johnson (12/59; 3/10). He ran hard on every play and refused to go down on first contact. I expect him to be an ideal complement to Kenneth Walker III once the real games begin. If you like a 3rd-down back, see the Rams’ Dean Connors (6/22, 4/29/2 receiving), who caught both of Simpson’s TDs.
WRs has a fantastic week. Arizona’s Reggie Virgil (2/43) flashed for the second straight game, and he seems to always make a big play. Baltimore’s Ja’Kobi Lane (3/38/1) has been hyped up by his team (and by me), and he delivered with a smooth TD catch. The Ravens had another standout in Elijah Sarratt (6/66); although he lost a fumble, he showed the chain-moving prowess that he provided at Indiana. Dallas, who already has a strong WR room, found another contributor in UDFA Camden Brown (3/62/2), who’s making a name for him self with exceptional TD catches. All of these guys are in line for supporting roles.
Four other WRs are set to be big contributors. Pittsburgh’s Kaden Wetjen (2/79/1), known as an elite returner, took a short pass for a 74-yard burst and earned a score a bit later. His receiving chops were clearly underrated. Cleveland’s KC Concepcion (3/27 receiving, 1/14/1 rushing, 31-yard PR) is just a weapon. He shined on the ground, through the air, and in the return game. NYG’s Malachi Fields (3/34/1) had a TD on a contested catch where he used his size to muscle the ball into his possession. SF’s De’Zhaun Stribling (7/63) was the team’s leading WR, and he’ll be needed because of the injury to Ricky Pearsall.
Tight ends are poised to be a big story this year, and unsurprisingly, two teams who use the position the most got richer at that spot. Baltimore, who lost both Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, found a good replacement in Matthew Hibner (5/61). The 4th-round rookie is a big receiving threat who should fit well with Mark Andrews in 2-TE sets. The LA Rams led the league in 3-TE usage last year, and two players, Mark Redman (3/47) and Max Klare (7/37) both produced this week. I’m not even sure Redman can earn a roster spot, but Klare is a 2nd-round pick from whom much is expected. Hopefully Redman can latch on with a TE-needy club.
In the defensive front seven, I feel compelled to start with Mr. Irrelevant: Denver’s Red Murdock. He led the team with 8 tackles on a day when the Broncos’ defense was absolutely suffocating. Colts 6th-round LB Caden Curry really stuffed the stat sheet. He had a team-leading 6 tackles, 2 TFLs including a sack, and 2 PBUs. That’s exactly the production profile a Lou Anarumo defense requires. Saints DE Michael Heldman (6 tackles, 2 sacks) seemed unblockable against the Jaguars. I admit not studying the CMU product enough. Impressively, the underlying metrics suggest that his output was not at all fluky.
I found one truly standout performance in the secondary, and it came from Texans S Kamari Ramsey. Two years after taking another USC safety in Calen Bullock, Houston went back to the well with another player who’s active around the ball. Ramsey earned a 40-yard INT and 2 total PBUs. I just don’t know when he would get snaps on the league’s best defense. Finally, we have a kicker: Green Bay’s Trey Smack. Ideally the answer to a revolving door of kickers, Smack went 3/3 on FGs with a long of 58 yards (another 58-yarder came off the board due to a penalty). It’s a fantastic start for a key player on a playoff team.