NFL Preseason Week 1 Observations
ROOKIE QBs STRUGGLE IN DEBUTS
Everyone was excited to see the debuts of this year’s QB class headlined by three top 5 picks and usually we leave week 1 of the preseason with more questions than answers. This year was no different. Houston’s CJ Stroud was the first top QB to make his debut and it was a short one (2-4, 13 yds, 1 INT) which was a bit disappointing as the Texans chose to bench the rookie for backup Davis Mills, thus making us wait for another week to see more snaps for Stroud.
Carolina’s Bryce Young followed up along with Indy’s Anthony Richardson. Like Stroud, Young had a brief start for the Panthers (4-6, 21 yds) but showed decent awareness in the pocket and took some shots along the way which is good as his size will be a question for the early part of his career. Last was Richardson who had the most snaps of the three and finished with a mixed performance (7-12, 67 yds, 1 INT) but was also viewed as a more developmental prospect. While Richardson didn’t have the best day, he did display his quick release and mobility outside the pocket which will be a big plus as he develops his passing skills. Rookie QBs are known to show some rust in the preseason as they are adjusting to the speed of the NFL but it was a little surprising that they were not given more time to show their talents and makeup for their early mistakes. It will certainly be fun to see how these young QBs rebound for the remainder of the preseason.
JUSTIN FIELDS MAY FINALLY HAVE AN OFFENSE
There was potentially no QB who did more with less in 2022 than Bears QB Justin Fields. The third-year signal caller had a historic rushing year (over 1,100 yds) making him one of the league’s most dangerous QBs on the ground but what he did with his feet he lacked in the passing game. Fields barely completed over 2,200 passing yds and was sacked 55 times which led him to become a fantastic runner. The Bears needed to address their offense this off-season and they did just that by trading for do-it-all WR DJ Moore from the Panthers as well as upgrade the OL with free agent G Nate Davis and in the draft with the #10 overall pick OT Darnell Wright from Tennessee. Fast forward to last weekend and the Bears offense was electric on their first two drives with the starters. Fields finished with only completing 3 passes but amassed over 130 yds including two long screen plays that led to touchdowns by Moore and RB Khalil Herbert. Along with the explosive plays was a consistent OL who allowed only 3 total pressure the whole game which is great news for Fields long term health. Obviously its only one game and things can change but if the offense can continue to create explosive plays like this leading into the season, Fields could be set up nicely for a big season and hopefully take him to the next step as a franchise QB which the Bears have lacked for years.
SAINTS MAY RETURN TO PLAYOFFS WITH CARR
Over the last half decade the leader of the Las Vegas (formerly Oakland) Raiders was QB Derek Carr and has was viewed as someone who could retire in the silver and black. All of that changed when the Raiders hired HC Josh McDaniels. The relationship between McDaniels and Carr was a shaky one, leading to the departure of the former Pro Bowl QB to the NFC where he would join the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have been treading water since the retirement of future Hall of Famer Drew Brees and have had numerous QBs attempt to have a hold of the starting job from Teddy Bridgewater to Jameis Winston. That all changed when they landed Carr. In New Orleans’ first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Carr led the Saints right down the field capping off a success drive with a touchdown and connecting with various weapons including WR Michael Thomas who could have a rebound season. New Orleans has been a successful team for a long time and with the addition of Carr may finally be be in the playoff picture and ready to contend for their division.
JETS ARE READY FOR TAKE-OFF
The New York Jets are all in on 2023. After acquiring future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers the team followed up by adding other pieces including rookie pass rusher Will McDonald IV who has flashed in his first 2 games and looks the part of an NFL player with an explosive spin move. The Jets also added more fire power by signing former Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook to pair with an already ascending player in Breece Hall which should go nicely with their young WR group led by reigning offensive rookie of the year, WR Garrett Wilson. New York was a team on the brink of returning to the playoffs but were missing those few key pieces and so far this preseason they look the part of a team on the rise.
TREY LANCE’S FUTURE IN SF?
In 2020 many believed that the San Francisco 49ers and HC Kyle Shanahan found their QB of the future when they traded multiple draft picks to select Trey Lance from South Dakota State #3 overall. While the consensus was that the raw prospect would need some development in order to reach his full potential, the sky was the limit for Lance and was viewed as a great fit for Shanahan. Unfortunately since being drafted Lance has dealt with injury setbacks and ultimately lost the starting QB job last season to Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, who took to the 49ers all the way to the NFC Championship. Even though Purdy is recovering from an injury he is still viewed as the teams starter for at least 2023 and potentially beyond which leaves Lance’s future up in the air. The 49ers brought in competition for the backup QB spot with another former highly drafted player in Sam Darnold, who is now on his third team and looking for a long term home. Both Lance and Darnold had decent performances and week 1 and while neither stood out from the other, it seems inevitable that Lance ends up playing somewhere else in the next 12 months unless he outperforms Darnold in the next 2 weeks.