The midpoint of the 2024 NFL preseason has brought a unique mix of anticipation and drama, as teams fine-tune their rosters and set the stage for the upcoming regular season. Week 2, often viewed as a dress rehearsal, had its fair share of highlights and storylines, particularly during a series of joint practices.
Quarterback Battles Heating Up
One of the most intriguing narratives comes from the New England Patriots, who are navigating a quarterback battle between Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. The Patriots, who must make a critical decision regarding who will quarterback their rebuilding offense, face additional challenges with few skill position players and a subpar offensive line. “The Patriots will have a decision to make who will quarterback this rebuilding offense that has little skill position players and a subpar offensive line,” an insider noted.
Down in Atlanta, the Falcons seem more settled in their starting quarterback role with Kirk Cousins, but rookie Michael Penix Jr. is making a strong case for his share of opportunities. In his preseason debut, Penix finished 9 of 16 for 104 yards, earning a passer rating of 76.0, and managed to guide the Falcons to 10 points over five possessions.
In Chicago, the Bears are eyeing a promising future with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams showed potential in his preseason opener, completing 4 of 7 passes for 95 yards and achieving a passer rating of 101.8. The Bears managed to score six points during his two possessions. An analyst emphasized the importance of game experience for the rookie, saying, “Let’s see how long Williams plays against the Bengals, but it will be vital for the Bears to get their rookie quarterback those live game reps.”
Injuries and Comebacks
Injuries, unfortunately, are a part of the preseason grind. The New York Giants’ Malik Nabers suffered an ankle injury in the preseason opener, throwing a wrench into the team’s plans. Meanwhile, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown is dealing with a shoulder injury, creating opportunities for the rookie Xavier Worthy to step into a larger role, especially with Rashee Rice potentially facing a suspension.
Kansas City's wide receiver lineup remains crowded with contenders like Kadarius Toney, Nikko Remigio, Skyy Moore, and Justyn Ross all vying for their spots, making the next few weeks crucial for final roster decisions.
Running Back Emergence in Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans are witnessing a dynamic duo formation in their backfield. New running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears showcased their talent in the preseason opener, with Spears scoring a touchdown and Pollard breaking out for a 24-yard run. Together, the Titans’ offense managed 37 yards from seven carries between Pollard and Spears, hinting at an exciting backfield presence for the upcoming season.
Defensive Standouts and Depth Chart Battles
Defensively, Laiatu Latu is a name to watch. Leading the FBS with a 23.9% pressure rate while at UCLA, Latu’s impact on the field has been noticeable during the preseason practices.
In Miami, the competition for the backup quarterback spot between Skylar Thompson and Mike White has been intense. Thompson finished 8 of 19 for 95 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the preseason opener, while White struggled, completing only 4 of 14 for 26 yards against second- and third-team players.
Leadership and Contributions
The Minnesota Vikings got a sigh of relief as Jordan Addison avoided a serious injury, allowing him to continue contributing during the preseason. Despite limited snaps expected for Justin Jefferson, Trishton Jackson stepped up by accumulating 100 yards on four catches with a touchdown last week, signaling his readiness to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers has been dealing with hamstring and shoulder problems during training camp, potentially impacting his readiness for the season.
Broncos' Quarterback Situation
The Denver Broncos quarterback room provides another layer of preseason intrigue. Bo Nix had a strong showing by completing 15 of 21 for 125 yards with a touchdown in the preseason opener. In stark contrast, Jarrett Stidham finished 4 of 7 for 37 yards with an interception, highlighting a clear gap in performance that could influence the team's decision-making process.
As teams navigate these final weeks of the preseason, the individual performances and health of players will continue to shape the narratives heading into Week 1 of the regular season. "This battle may go down to the first week of the regular season before head coach Antonio Pierce names a starter," a source indicated, encapsulating the uncertainty and excitement that defines this period of the NFL calendar.