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In Jourdan Rodrigue’s article on quarterbacks’ arms, Josh Allen looked back at his own college tape and said, “It’s kind of gross.” We all start somewhere, Josh.
As for today’s newsletter:
- 📺 Preseason takeaways
- 🎙 Cleveland’s four QBs
- 📊 Week 1 absences
- 🔬 A look at Josh Downs
Preseason Followup: The rookies can play
In 2023, Kenny Pickett led the Steelers to touchdowns on all five of his preseason drives while completing 13 of 15 passes. In Week 1 of the regular season, he threw two interceptions, took five sacks and led just one scoring drive. He is now a backup in Philadelphia.
So if you read anything that you disagree with, I hear you. The preseason doesn’t matter. But — like C.J. Stroud’s noted improvement during last preseason — we can still learn something. My four biggest takeaways from three weeks of “NFL football”:
1. Caleb Williams belongs. His stats are nothing special: a combined 10-of-20 passing for 170 yards. But Williams had plenty of highlights, looked confident and took deep shots. Everything you wanted to translate to the NFL, did. Two things caught my eye: The Bears offense was run-heavy with Williams under center, and Williams is now reaching out to Michael Jordan (as if the hype couldn’t grow).
2. The other first-round rookies belong, too. As Nick Baumgardner explains by listing rookie winners and losers, Joe Alt, Bo Nix, Byron Murphy and Malik Nabers will be Week 1 game-changers. Alt, the 6-foot-8 offensive tackle (whom the receiver-needy Chargers took ahead of Nabers), allowed just one pressure in 30 protection reps. He’s already a difference-maker in the run game. Just watch:
3. The new kickoff works. It looks odd, but I’m in favor of any rule change that increases both the number of kickoff returns (up to nearly 80 percent, compared to 22 percent last year) and their average yardage. Add in the increased potential for trick plays, especially once the games actually matter, and suddenly the kickoff is back. Change is hard, but progress requires it. As Isaac Guerendo’s 93-yard return proved, talented RBs will make this exciting.
4. New-look offenses should work, too. As Ted Nguyen writes in his preseason learnings, Philly’s offense is no longer stale. After the Eagles used pre-snap motion at the lowest rate in the NFL last season, new OC Kellen Moore injected life with motion on most of their snaps. In Washington, OC Kliff Kingsbury has Jayden Daniels and company playing at a breakneck pace with an RPO-heavy playbook.
Now, over to Dianna for an update on roster cuts, trades and more.
What Dianna’s Hearing: Cleveland’s very crowded quarterback room
Sometimes the biggest cutdown day surprise is who’s still there. In the Cleveland Browns’ case, that means four quarterbacks. Cleveland tried moving their backup QBs, including Jameis Winston, before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline for cuts, but couldn’t find a deal.
Winston’s personality was on display this summer, specifically when breaking down team huddles with memorable lines like, “Remember the time after that victory, you went to CiCi’s Pizza?” Despite that, he isn’t a lock to be the backup to starter Deshaun Watson, even after staying put on cut day.
After a strong camp, Dorian Thompson-Robinson could take the second spot on the depth chart ahead of Winston and Tyler Huntley, I was told.
Back to you, Jacob.
Injury Roundup: Herbert back for Week 1
With Week 1 fast approaching, I wanted to quickly check on players in danger of missing the first NFL action in 200-plus days.
Keep an eye on:
- Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s foot is no longer an issue. The real problem: elevators.
- Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs practiced this week after a hamstring injury earlier this month. He should play Week 1. Also ready in Detroit: DT DJ Reader, whom the team had expected to be out until Week 2.
- Rams WR Puka Nacua, who returned to practice this week and should play Week 1 after suffering a knee injury in early August.
- Raiders TE Brock Bowers missed multiple practices with a foot injury, which HC Antonio Pierce said was a precaution. He should play Week 1.
- Jets WR Mike Williams began playing in 11-on-11 yesterday, which bodes well for Week 1, but don’t expect him to be at full strength.
- Browns OT Jedrick Willis, a starter and former top-10 pick, was activated from the physically unable to perform list, joining OT Jack Conklin on a line desperate for a healthy season.
- Texans DE Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft, suffered a soft-tissue injury in early August, but HC DeMeco Ryans called Anderson “on track” to play Week 1.
- Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins is still dealing with a knee injury that puts his status in doubt.
Absent:
Question:
How quickly will Colts WR Josh Downs return from his right ankle sprain? James Boyd’s answer (and why you’ll want to target Downs in fantasy drafts):
“This summer, [Downs] looked like arguably the team’s best offensive player in training camp before sustaining a high-ankle sprain. Downs’ status for Week 1 is murky, but if fantasy players are willing to take a chance on drafting him without knowing his immediate availability, it may pay off in the long run. Downs was Anthony Richardson’s favorite target in camp, even more so than top wideout Michael Pittman Jr.”
Around the NFL
The Athletic’s writers compiled a list of the most surprising cut from each team, which includes Desmond Ridder and Kadarius Toney.
In the latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Commanders go pass-rusher (Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.) first overall, while the Giants make Georgia QB Carson Beck the first QB taken at No. 5.
Yesterday’s most-clicked: Fantasy football staff sleepers.
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(Photo:
Quinn Harris / Getty Images)
