NFL preseason winners, losers: QBs make big statements in Week 2
Exhibition football, NFL style, is typically a rather onerous affair.
Many veterans around the league are still awaiting their first in-game snaps of summer. Others have gotten a fair amount of August playing time. For some, we might look back at Week 2 of the 2024 preseason schedule as a rather eventful milepost – several of the quarterback competitions definitively evolving, among other notable developments.
There’s one more round of games to make lineup decisions and/or work the kinks out and then a bye week before the season really begins. But here are your winners and losers – and these results count! – from this past weekend’s contests:
WINNERS
First-round quarterbacks drafted in 2024
Bo Nix was the last one picked of the sextet in April’s draft and, by definition, perhaps something of an afterthought from a national perspective. But he’s looked sharper than any of his peers so far, completing eight of nine passes for 80 yards and a TD on Sunday night in his first start for the Denver Broncos – missing another scoring throw when he barely crossed the line of scrimmage before delivering the would-be strike to RB Javonte Williams. In seven overall preseason drives, Nix has appeared to be in near-complete command, leading his team to three touchdowns and three field goals. It would be something of a shock if he’s not starting in Week 1.
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Elsewhere, No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams continued to stoke hopes in Chicago (more on that later); Drake Maye has engendered a debate in New England (more on that later); Jayden Daniels tracked toward the Washington Commanders’ QB1 post (which he officially got Monday); and the Atlanta Falcons have so much faith in Michael Penix Jr., he’s apparently been shut down for the preseason. It's very early, but the returns are heartening – and there's even a silver lining to the unfortunate injury suffered by the Minnesota Vikings' J.J. McCarthy.
First-round quarterbacks drafted in 2021
Of the five picked three years ago, only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence remains with his original team. Yet the other four are quietly – mostly – making bids for productive second acts, including Mac Jones, Lawrence's new teammate, who passed for 210 yards and two TDs on Saturday and might be locking up the Jags' QB2 role.
Elsewhere, some (me) would argue Justin Fields has already proven he should be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starter in 2024. Trey Lance is making a strong push to be Dak Prescott's primary backup with the Dallas Cowboys ... and maybe more in the future, depending on what happens with Prescott's ongoing contract talks. Even Zach Wilson has had moments in Denver, throwing a TD on Sunday, but probably has more to do to stick on the Broncos' 53-man roster.
Sean McVay
The Los Angeles Rams beat their crosstown rival Chargers 13-9 on Saturday. Meh. Of far more significance, McVay delegated his head coaching duties for the night to assistant Aubrey Pleasant for the purpose of giving him the experience of managing a game and going through its various mechanics. "That's how I was treated,” said McVay, 38, who already has an impressive coaching tree of his own, on Sunday. “I had people that were willing to put their arm around me. I saw great examples of that, and I don't know if I truly appreciated how special it was until I look back on it.” Props, Coach.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
No rest for the best in Kansas City – that’s how Chiefs HC Andy Reid approaches preseason. For the second straight week, Mahomes, the three-time Super Bowl MVP, was a participant in a largely inconsequential event – though he did provide what will probably be the highlight of the month. “Upset” with what he felt was undisciplined play by his superstar tight end, Mahomes chucked a behind-the-back pass to Kelce … who snared it for an 8-yard gain and first down. “Travis didn’t run the route he was supposed to run, and then it was kind of a behind-the-back pass – kind of because I was mad, I was pissed off at Travis. He was supposed to run a flag route,” Mahomes grumbled during the broadcast, after exiting the game, “and then he doesn’t run it, so – out of spite – I threw the behind-the-back pass, but now it’s gonna be a highlight.”
In a brilliant heel turn, Kelce wasn’t having his buddy's critique, saying in a separate interview, but only after mocking Mahomes’ voice: "Don't let Pat trick you guys into me doing the wrong thing." Thanks, fellas … the levity was certainly welcome amid a packed Saturday schedule.
Xavier Worthy
The newest Chief was all business. Kansas City’s first-round pick, he of the record 4.21-second 40-yard dash at this year’s scouting combine, had four touches for 73 yards, including a 39-yard hookup with Mahomes and a 22-yard TD grab from QB2 Carson Wentz. Simply unfair.
Tim Patrick
The Broncos' veteran receiver snagged a 2-yard TD pass from Nix, his first touchdown in 973 days. Patrick, who'd become a large part of the offense by 2021, suffered season-ending ACL and Achilles injuries in the previous two training camps, respectively, and is mounting another comeback ... to the delight of his teammates. "I'm not just trying to be a feel-good story," Patrick said via Denver's website. "It's a step in the right direction, but you guys haven't seen anything yet."
Caitlin Clark
The WNBA is back from its Olympics hiatus, and the Indiana Fever's superstar led her team to home wins Friday and Sunday, piling up 52 points and 19 assists combined. In between, she took in the Indianapolis' Colts’ win at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.
Brandon Aubrey
Sure, it’s preseason … but that shouldn’t mean a materially different operation for kickers. Coming off a record-setting rookie effort, when he made his first 35 field-goal tries in 2023, the Dallas Cowboys’ sniper hit for a 66-yarder in Las Vegas on Saturday – which would have tied the NFL record had it occurred in an official game. And make no mistake, Aubrey’s bomb had room to spare – perhaps good from 68 – and clearly outdistanced the 66-yarder Justin Tucker hit in 2021, one that bounced over the crossbar, to set the certified standard.
Bears’ second-team offense
Chicago’s backups have looked sharp for weeks now, going back to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. That was again the case Saturday afternoon, when QB2 Tyson Bagent found WR Dante Pettis for a pair of third-quarter TD strikes in a 27-3 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals. Not gonna be easy to make this roster as a wideout with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze already locked in. But guys like Pettis and Collin Johnson continue to show that they can make plays, whether that be in the Windy City or elsewhere.
Bears’ first team-offense (final two drives)
Rookie QB Caleb Williams and Co. started slowly against Cincinnati but produced 10 points on their final two possessions before halftime. Odunze gained 16 yards on an end-around and also hauled in a nice 45-yard shot down the boundary from Williams, who also drew a 43-yard pass interference flag on another deep throw. The No. 1 pick of the draft ended his day with a spectacular 7-yard TD scamper. Keep fueling that optimism, Chicago.
Elijah Chatman
A 278-pound rookie D-lineman for the New York Giants, he made as good a hustle play as you'll see, running down Houston Texans RB J.J. Taylor to make downfield sideline tackle. Per Next Gen Stats, Chatman exceeded 16 mph. This is how you make a team.
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LOSERS
J.J. Taylor
We're not suggesting he'll lose his job because Chatman caught him. But, man, Taylor sure is gonna take abuse from his teammates in the film room.
Bears’ first team-offense (first three drives)
Saturday didn’t start so well for Chicago’s starters. Williams presided over three consecutive three-and-outs to start the game, producing a total of 16 yards and one intentional grounding penalty from the rookie. Keep fueling that realistic perspective, Chicago … it’s likely to be a season full of highs and lows.
San Francisco 49ers’ first-team offense
Pyrite, aka fool’s gold. Three possessions, 11 plays, 12 yards, three punts for a very disjointed looking Brock Purdy and Co. But maybe that's to be expected when LT Trent Williams is holding out, WR Brandon Aiyuk is holding in and RB Christian McCaffrey is still tuning up his body for Week 1.
Younghoe Koo
Sure, it’s preseason … but that shouldn’t mean a materially different operation for kickers. But Saturday wasn’t pretty for Koo, whose career field-goal percentage of 88.5% ranks fourth in league history. However he missed three in Baltimore, all between 40 and 49 yards, all wide left.
Jacoby Brissett
Long the New England Patriots’ presumed starting quarterback this season, Brissett played three drives Thursday night – two resulting in three-and-outs and the other an end zone interception. Not pretty – so much so, that rookie HC Jerod Mayo made it clear that Maye is in play while being unsparingly critical of Brissett’s performance. “The competition isn't over,” Mayo said Friday. “(T)hey have to show not only themselves and their coaches but also their teammates. So, it's definitely still a competition.”
Davante Adams
Given his frustrations from last season that were documented in Netflix’s “Receiver” and Adams’ ownership of them … you’ve got to wonder what the Las Vegas Raiders star wideout was thinking Saturday night as he watched Gardner Minshew II, uh, beat out Aidan O’Connell for the QB1 job. Chin up, Davante, the Silver and Black still have 2½ months to trade you.
Daniel Jones
In his first game action since an ACL tear ended his 2023 season last November, the Giants quarterback … didn’t look great against Houston on Saturday, throwing a pair of interceptions – including an ugly pick-six near his own end zone. While Jones deserves a little grace (period) to knock off the rust and acclimate to an offense without RB Saquon Barkley, there’s just no escaping that he’s going to be one of the more scrutinized players in the league this season – very likely his last extended chance to prove he’s a legitimate QB1 in the NFL. Given his notorious penchant for turnovers, this was hardly an encouraging next step.
Raiders’ disregard for history
Last season, Las Vegas put O’Connell, then a rookie, into the No. 4 jersey that had been recently vacated by franchise passing leader Derek Carr. Now AOC has switched to the No. 12 that once belonged to Hall of Famer Kenny “Snake” Stabler, the Silver and Black’s second all-time leading passer … not to mention the man in third place, former league MVP Rich Gannon. Perhaps the Raiders are hoping something literally rubs off on O’Connell … though so far, not so much. Maybe that 12 needs to go into the Sin City rafters.
Christian Jones
The Arizona Cardinals rookie O-lineman was flagged for four holding penalties, three on consecutive plays at one point Saturday in Indianapolis. Not the kind of impression you want to leave when battling for a roster spot … especially as a fifth-rounder.
Mitch Trubisky
Once again QB Josh Allen’s backup with the Buffalo Bills, Trubisky was lustily booed – in preseason – at Acrisure Stadium, his Pittsburgh home the past two years. Apparently his return embodied why the Steelers acquired Fields and Russell Wilson over the offseason in the first place.
Simone Biles
The legendary, (mostly) beloved, Team USA gymnast caught heat from Bears fans for wearing Green Bay Packers gear to Soldier Field – even though it featured her husband, Chicago DB Jonathan Owens, who spent last season with the Pack. Not a good way to score with Chicago fans, GOAT, who hate that certain team from Wisconsin. “She hasn’t been around much, so she doesn’t have a lot of Bears gear and she was just supporting me,” said Owens. “We’re going to have to get her some more Bears gear.”
***Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.