The dawn of a thrilling new era for the NFL was unmistakably signposted this past week as five first-round rookie quarterbacks showcased their immense potential in their preseason debuts. They provided fans with a tantalizing glimpse of potentially monumental careers ahead.
Caleb Williams Shines in Chicago
Caleb Williams, who helms the offense for the Chicago Bears, demonstrated flashes of brilliance most notably with a crucial third-and-long conversion. Williams threaded a pass to wide receiver D.J. Moore for a vital 12-yard gain. He further underlined his capability with a stunning 42-yard throw to running back D'Andre Swift. Though the drive ultimately stalled in the red zone, Cairo Santos ensured the Bears didn't leave empty-handed, nailing a 30-yard field goal. Williams wrapped up his anticipated first outing by completing 4 of 7 passes for 95 yards and a notable 13-yard scramble.
Jayden Daniels’ Mixed Bag
Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels had an eventful start to his NFL journey. His first pass sailed over Austin Ekeler's head, but he quickly composed himself and connected with wideout Dyami Brown for a substantial 42-yard gain. Daniels capped off that drive with a determined 3-yard touchdown run. By the end of the night, Daniels had notched up 45 yards on 2 of 3 completions and added a touchdown run to his tally. It’s clear that while there's refinement needed, the raw talent and athleticism are palpable.
Drake Maye's Steady Start
Drake Maye started his NFL journey on a stable note, converting a crucial third-and-12 to Antonio Gipson on his very first attempt. Over his limited time on the field, Maye completed 2 of his 3 attempts for 19 yards, marking a respectable if unspectacular debut.
Michael Penix Jr. in Command
Michael Penix Jr. showcased his poise and precision over five possessions against Miami. Penix led the Falcons on two scoring drives, evidencing his ability to manage the game effectively. Highlighting his performance was a 41-yard connection with Chris Blair. Finishing with 104 yards on 9 of 16 passes, Penix’s debut was a testament to his readiness for the professional stage.
J.J. McCarthy’s Rollercoaster
J.J. McCarthy experienced a game of highs and lows in equal measure. He started strongly with an 18-yard completion to Jalen Nailor, but his second throw was intercepted by Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. Demonstrating resilience, McCarthy rebounded with a spectacular 45-yard touchdown pass to Jackson early in the second half. By the end, he had amassed 188 yards on 11 of 17 passing attempts. "Clearly, everybody can see the arm talent. I loved seeing him come right back after the interception and still be aggressive," observed coach Kevin O’Connell, highlighting McCarthy’s potential despite the early misstep.
Bo Nix Leads Denver
Bo Nix demonstrated exceptional composure and productivity for the Denver Broncos, guiding the team to scores on four of five drives. Nix maintained efficiency throughout, completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards. He also showcased his mobility with an 11-yard run and threw his first touchdown pass to Marvin Mims. Reflecting on the performance, Nix stated, "It was a good day. I thought we ran the ball efficiently. Made some good plays in the pass game. Converted some third downs. Got points when we needed to; it was a good job going into half with points and coming out with points, felt like that was a good point in the game. Overall, thought we did a good job, huge team win."
The overarching sentiment from players and coaches alike was one of optimism and excitement. Offensive lineman Sam Cosmi praised his quarterback's cool demeanor and adaptability, emphasizing the collective enthusiasm of the team. “He made a check mid-play. It turned out to be a big gain. We bunkered down and really went in there. He was calm and collected, which is what you want to see, and it was really impressive. We all sat on the sideline, and we were like, 'Dang, that was really fun.' So, I think everybody should be very excited just from that little sneak peek right there. I know I am. I know the guys are fired up. I think we got a dude back there,” Cosmi commented.
Offering a balanced perspective, Raheem Morris acknowledged the areas for improvement: “He wants one of those throws back that he threw on the sideline, but he was able to go through some progression. He was able to progress. We get a little pass happy with him since he's a first-round quarterback. It was fun to see him go out there and execute some of the pass plays, and we were able to get some of the stuff done. ... Pretty much, a really good night for him and I was really pleased with what he was able to do.”
As the preseason progresses, these rookie quarterbacks have already set a high bar, tantalizing fans with glimpses of their potential and stoking excitement for the upcoming season.