From a 70-yard bomb off a kicker’s foot to rookies looking ready right now, the first preseason weekend delivered plenty of storylines.
Here are the biggest early takeaways to watch as camps roll on.
Travis Hunter plays both ways
Jacksonville is doing it for real: Hunter lined up at receiver and corner in his debut, giving the Jags an instant spark on offense and a versatile athlete on defense. Expect a measured snap plan, but the two-way experiment is on, and to the joy of Jaguars fans, it’s not a gimmick.
Kickers are better than ever
Jaguars rookie Cam Little drilled an unofficial league-record 70-yarder to end the half, proving that the the outer edge of “field-goal range” keeps creeping outward. End-of-half calculus is changing, and special teams are tilting games again.
Before long, the league may have to consider narrowing goal posts…
Cam Ward is ready
The No. 1 pick settled in looked in command for Tennessee, connecting with star receiver Calvin Ridley for a 50 yards on three receptions. His tiiming, pocket presence, and accuracy all showed up.
Justin Fields shows growth for Jets
One drive, one score: a 79-yard march capped by a 13-yard keeper. The bigger deal was how calm and decisive Fields looked—checkdowns when they were there, legs when they weren’t. That’s the template New York needs.
Jaxson Dart shows promise
The Giants let the rookie rip and he answered with chunk plays and a touchdown. With Russell Wilson steering the opening script, New York may have its short-term starter and a long-term plan under the same roof.
Shedeur Sanders has Dawg Pound barking
Cleveland’s rookie carved up his debut with two first-half TDs and zero turnovers, operating on time and on schedule. It’s only August, but he looked like he belongs—and that’s all the Browns wanted to see.
Anthony Richardson dislocates finger
The Colts’ QB left early with a dislocated pinkie after a pressure misread—an all-too-common preseason lesson in protection rules. The bigger picture: how quickly he turns the page and tightens blitz ID before Week 1.
Drake Maye could be dark-horse MVP candidate
New England hung 48 in the opener and Maye punched in a rushing TD; books still have him at long-shot prices, but the talent flashes keep coming. If the picks stay down and the explosives hold, the chatter won’t be just homer hype.
Saints are quarterback-less
It’s still a two-man race with no separation: Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are both getting real run, but neither truly stands out.
Abdul Carter is a menace
In a handful of snaps, the Giants’ No. 3 pick affected drives with burst and power, generating heat off the edge. He alone could turn the Giants into a formidable defense.
No deal in sight for Parsons, Cowboys
Dallas’ contract standoff is ongoing No team wants its premier pass rusher negotiating into September. Micah Parsons has demanded a trade, but the Cowboys front office says they have no interest in dealing their star.
According to the prediction market Kalshi, there’s only a 12% chance he’s actually traded before the season begins.
