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 Skylar Thompson is also in the conversation.
Texans’ starting QB: C.J. Stroud, Year 2
Steelers’ starting QB: Justin Fields, Year 4
Friday night is shaping up to be a battle between former first-round selections out of Ohio State. Stroud is expected to play, although not for long. Fields is expected to make his first start in Pittsburgh with veteran Russell Wilson sidelined.
Eagles’ starting QB: Jalen Hurts, Year 5
Ravens’ starting QB: TBD
Philadelphia’s starters, including Hurts, will play one series Friday night against the Ravens, according to Jeff McLane. The Eagles acquired former first-round selection Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh this offseason, but they also have Tanner McKee and Will Grier.
Lamar Jackson has not played in a preseason game since 2021. Veteran Josh Johnson is listed as second string on the depth chart, but head coach John Harbaugh has not stated who will start. The organization also has sixth-round selection Devin Leary as well as Emory Jones.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Commanders’ starting QB: Jayden Daniels, Year 1
Jets’ starting QB: TBD
Commanders fans will get their first exposure to No. 2 overall selection Jayden Daniels. The preseason is an opportunity for head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Daniels to fine-tune its operation ahead of the regular season.
Aaron Rodgers is not playing for New York but could end up playing at some point in the preseason. Tyrod Taylor is the likely starter, but head coach Robert Saleh has not said as much. Andrew Peasley and Adrian Martinez are also active.
Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET)
Bears’ starting QB: Caleb Williams, Year 1
Bills’ starting QB: Josh Allen, Year 7
The No. 1 overall selection did not take any snaps for Chicago in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game; that is expected to change in preseason Week 1. Brett Rypien, Tyson Bagent and Austin Reed divvied up the remaining snaps.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott revealed Thursday that the first string, including Allen, will start against the Bears. Buffalo re-signed former No. 2 overall selection Mitchell Trubisky and also have Shane Buechele on the depth chart.
Raiders’ starting QB: Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell, Year 6/Year 2
Vikings’ starting QB: Sam Darnold, Year 7
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce did not outright state Minshew or O’Connell would start. He is not concerned about who takes those first repetitions because each will have an opportunity to play.
“Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn’t matter,” Pierce said.
Darnold will start for the Vikings, but fans should expect No. 10 overall selection J.J. McCarthy to see action as well. The belief is that the veteran will be able to hold off the rookie for Week 1 but the Michigan product should be installed as the starter at some point in the season.
Packers’ starting QB: Jordan Love, Year 5
Browns’ starting QB: Jameis Winston, Year 10
Coming off a lucrative contract extension, Love will start for the Packers this weekend. It is an opportunity for him to continue developing relationships with his young pass catchers in a live game setting.
Deshaun Watson will not be on the field for Cleveland. Instead, it will be the veteran taking starting snaps. The Browns also have Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Buccaneers’ starting QB: Kyle Trask, Year 4
Bengals’ starting QB: Joe Burrow, Year 5
Baker Mayfield is not expected to take the field for Tampa Bay this weekend. Trask has been given the nod, but John Wolford has a history with offensive coordinator Liam Coen in Los Angeles. Mayfield’s absence spoils a rematch between former No. 1 overall selections. The Bengals intend for Joe Burrow to play, and most likely start. When Mayfield was in Cleveland, he saw Burrow twice a year.
49ers’ starting QB: TBD
Titans’ starting QB: Will Levis, Year 2
It is unknown whether or not Brock Purdy will play for the defending NFC champions in preseason Week 1. Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that his starters will not play much at all.
“We don’t plan on many of the starters to play,” Shanahan said, via NBCSports.com. “I know some guys will have to, but for the most part starters shouldn’t be in much if at all.”
If he does not go, the ball will be handed over to Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai.
Levis did not play in the preseason a year ago. New head coach Brian Callahan and Levis have yet to work together in a live setting so there is value in these opportunities.
Chiefs’ starting QB: Patrick Mahomes, Year 8
Jaguars’ starting QB: Trevor Lawrence, Year 4
It is a classic AFC showdown between Mahomes and Lawrence. Neither is expected to play long.
Seahawks’ starting QB: TBD
Chargers’ starting QB: Easton Stick, Year 6
First-year Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald has stated Smith is unlikely to play this weekend. Sam Howell and PJ Walker are in tow.
Justin Herbert is injured and unavailable for the preseason. Stick will open the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles. Last year’s seventh-round pick, Max Duggan, will also see time.
Saints’ starting QB: TBD
Cardinals’ starting QB: TBD
New Orleans has not unveiled its starting quarterback for the preseason opener. If Derek Carr does not go, then the competition for QB2 will play out between Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
Kyler Murray will not play in the preseason opener, but there has been no indication that it will be either Clayton Tune or Desmond Ridder starting for the Cardinals. It is likely semantics as the two battle for the primary backup role.
Sunday, Aug. 11
Broncos’ starting QB: TBD
Colts’ starting QB: Anthony Richardson, Year 2
Jarrett Stidham was listed as first string on Denver’s depth chart, but it is unclear how that translates to game action. Zach Wilson was listed as the second string quarterback ahead of rookie Bo Nix.
Last year’s No. 4 overall selection, Anthony Richardson, is available and expected to start a series or two for the Colts. Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis and Jason Bean are also on the roster.
Cowboys’ starting QB: TBD
Rams’ starting QB: TBD
Dak Prescott will not play against the Rams, or likely any team this preseason; that much is known. It could be a competition between Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
In 2021, Rams head coach Sean Mcvay had some strong words when discussing the possibility of Matthew Stafford seeing time in the preseason.
“There is zero chance you will ever see Matthew Stafford take a snap in the preseason for the Rams as long as I’m the coach. That will never happen,” McVay said, via RamsWire.
There is no reason to think that has changed. Jimmy Garoppolo will not play. Stetson Bennett is likely the first off the bench, but Dresser Winn is also on the depth chart.
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Author: Josh Edwards
August 9, 2024 | 12:51 pm
