Category: NFL News

It was only one game, but each of the five first-round rookie quarterbacks enjoyed success in their NFL debuts, which took place during Week 1 of the preseason. 

No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels made their debuts on Saturday. Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick, and No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy made their NFL debuts on Sunday. Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick, and No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. kicked things off after making their debuts on Thursday night. 

So, how did each one do? Here’s a breakdown of each quarterback’s debut, starting with the first player selected in April’s draft. 

Williams created a highlight-reel play on his first drive. After a setback via holding penalty, the Bears found themselves in third-and-long, but Williams hung in the pocket and found wide receiver D.J. Moore for a 12-yard gain to move the sticks. On the very next snap, Williams pulled one out of his bag of tricks. 

As the pocket collapsed around him, Williams flipped the ball forward to running back D’Andre Swift, who took off for a…

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Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) wore the guardian cap against the Broncos in the NFL preseason on Sunday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The NFL has been using the guardian cap during training camp practices for a while. You’ve likely seen them in photos.

It’s a huge pad that goes over the regular football helmet, and it is designed to prevent concussions. This season for the first time, the NFL allowed players the option to wear the guardian caps during games.

Not many players took the league up on the offer but one star did: Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor was wearing the cap during Sunday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. It does look odd when the camera zooms in, with a cover featuring the Colts logo stretched over it.

#Colts RB Jonathan Taylor is one of several players wearing a guardian cap in the preseason.

Team covers were made for the caps to make it look more like a regular helmet.

The #NFL is allowing players to wear the guardian caps during regular season games. pic.twitter.com/qA5guFKfew

— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) August 11, 2024

It’s not a huge distraction otherwise, and it’s a positive if it prevents concussions. Colts tight end Kylen Granson was another player to wear the cap during the first week of the preseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels wore it on Saturday. He was believed to be the first to do so.

“My head doesn’t hurt, so that’s good,” Daniels said after the game, via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Hopefully more and more people start wearing them.”

It doesn’t look fashionable and it’s out of the norm, which is why you didn’t see many players wearing them in the first week of the preseason. Perhaps it will be more common with players like Taylor trying them out. It’s another thing for NFL fans to get used to this season.

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USATSI

Joe Burrow made the rounds this offseason for his specific suggestions related to the possibility of a future 18-game NFL schedule. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback also had a very specific idea for his 2024 preseason participation, recently revealing his preferences during an appearance on the “Up & Adams” show.

“Hopefully one drive,” Burrow said, “score a touchdown and get outta there.”

It’s a blunt assessment but an unsurprising one, considering two things: 1.) Burrow’s already proven himself on the big stage, and is entering Year 5 in head coach Zac Taylor’s offense; and 2.) few players appear more eager to prove they can stay healthy in 2024, hence the aversion to added preseason injury risk.

“You don’t play football, people forget about you,” Burrow told “Pardon My Take” earlier this offseason. “I love the spot I’m in. … You’re not out there, people aren’t watching you, then there’s nothing to talk about. So I’m gonna give people something to talk about this year. I’m excited.”

Well, fast-forward to Cincinnati’s preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, and Burrow prove to be a man of his word. The former No. 1 overall pick got the start and did exactly what he hoped. He led the Bengals on a 12-play drive that traveled 73 yards and ended after he connected with receiver Tee Higgins for a a touchdown.

That was all Burrow needed for the night as Jake Browning took over under center following that drive. Burrow’s night ended after he completed 5 of his 7 pass attempts for 51 yards and that score to Higgins. 

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Tank Dell is back.

Dell, the Texans wide receiver whose rookie season was cut short with an injury and who then suffered minor injuries in an offseason shooting, returned to the field and scored a touchdown in the Texans’ preseason win over the Steelers.

“To come out here healthy, feeling good, 250 days since I stepped on the field and played in an NFL game,” Dell told Mike Garafolo on NFL Network after the game. “It felt good getting back in there.”

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw the touchdown pass to Dell, is thrilled to have his receiver back.

“It’s good to see him back out there,” Stroud said. “I’m very happy for him. It’s just amazing to see all the stuff he’s been through to persevere through that and make a big-time play. That’s who he is.”

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Dell’s toughness.

“Tank is tough,” Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Pound-for-pound, one of the toughest guys on our team. Seeing his run after catch and the ability to make guys miss, and the toughness just to get through the end zone. That’s who Tank is.”

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Texans and Bears was an appetizer last week, but the rest of the NFL opens competition this week. While Justin Herbert, Bryce Young and other quarterbacks will be sitting this week out, there are several very talented players expected to start. 

Here is a game-by-game breakdown of each team’s quarterback approach to preseason Week 1:

Thursday, Aug. 8 

Panthers’ starting QB: Jack Plummer, Year 1
Patriots’ starting QB: Jacoby Brissett, Year 9

Plummer started and took the majority of the snaps in the absence of former No. 1 overall selection Bryce Young. Jake Luton played in reserve. It was not an inspiring evening of quarterback play. 

For New England, Brissett started, did not complete a pass and was quickly yanked. Bailey Zappe (20) had more pass attempts than No. 3 overall selection Drake Maye, rookie Joe Milton III and Brissett combined (12). 

Lions’ starting QB: Nate Sudfeld, Year 9
Giants’ starting QB: Drew Lock, Year 6

Sudfeld and former Day 2 selection Hendon Hooker were the only two quarterbacks to take snaps for Detroit. Jared Goff was sidelined for the affair. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock played for the Giants, but none of the quarterbacks in this game topped 100 passing yards. 

Friday, Aug. 9

Falcons’ starting QB: TBD
Dolphins’ starting QB: TBD

Atlanta’s prized free-agent signing, Kirk Cousins, has been cleared to play, but will sit out the entire preseason. Head coach Raheem Morris has not explicitly said No. 8 overall selection Michael Penix Jr. will start, but the expectation is that it will either be Penix or Taylor Heinicke. Nathan Rourke is also on the roster.

Miami head coach Mike McDaniel has not said who will be under center or in the shotgun for Friday’s game. The starters are not expected to play, but the wait for official word continues. Mike White started against Atlanta in the preseason opener a year ago, but…

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Despite reports of aggressively pursuing him just hours earlier, the New England Patriots have bowed out of the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes, according to ESPN. New England was reportedly prepared to make the 49ers’ wideout one of the five highest-paid receivers in the NFL. Yet after inquiring about Aiyuk’s availability, the Patriots have decided to change course and will instead put their trust into their young receiving corps for the 2024 season. 

The Patriots might be out, but another AFC squad is still reportedly in the running to land Aiyuk, who has requested a trade out of San Francisco. The Steelers reengaged in trade talks with the 49ers on Tuesday after things had stalled Monday night, according to ESPN. The Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns are two other teams to keep an eye on. 

No verbal agreement has been made between the Steelers and the 49ers on a possible trade as of Wednesday…

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Patriots rookie WR Javon Baker earns huge praise from teammates in camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The New England Patriots reportedly aren’t going to get star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the trade market, but they have a couple rookie wideouts with the potential to impress during the upcoming NFL season.

One of them is Javon Baker.

The fourth-round pick out of the University of Central Florida has had a strong training camp so far. He has used his quickness, strength and size to get open and make catches.

Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden has been going up against Baker throughout camp, including some 1-on-1 work in the red zone during Monday’s session (see video below).

Bolden has been quite impressed with the UCF product’s skill set and confidence.

“He’s a smooth killer right there. I ain’t going to lie. He’s smooth,” Bolden told reporters after Tuesday’s practice at Gillette Stadium, as seen in the video player above. “I like his game. He’s very shifty. He’s going to be great, man. I love going against him. He has a little swagger to me, so guys like that, you love to go against him. They bring the best out of you.”

Baker tallied 52 receptions for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns for the Golden Knights last season. He was a big-play threat, averaging 21.9 yards per catch. One of his best games came against a ranked Oklahoma team on the road in October, when he tallied five catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns, including an 86-yard score.

It remains to be seen whether that explosiveness will fully translate to the pro level, but the results in training camp have been encouraging so far.

“Separation, that’s what I’ve been working on in the summer,” Baker told reporters Monday. “Just separating from the defensive back. And when I get that ball, that’s when the YAC (yards after catch) come.”

Baker’s dedication to steady improvement has been visible, too. And that’s exactly what you want from a rookie. He has enormous confidence, and it will be…

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