The future of the NFL was on full display this past week as five first-round rookie quarterbacks dazzled in their preseason debuts, offering a tantalizing glimpse into what's to come.
Caleb Williams Shines for Bears
Caleb Williams, starting for the Chicago Bears, demonstrated his prowess with a solid performance. He converted a crucial third-and-long by connecting with wide receiver D.J. Moore for a 12-yard gain. Williams then followed it up with a spectacular 42-yard pass to running back D'Andre Swift. Although the drive ended in a red zone stop, kicker Cairo Santos managed to salvage it with a 30-yard field goal. Williams wrapped up his brief appearance by going 4 of 7 for 95 yards and adding a 13-yard scramble, showcasing his versatility.
Jayden Daniels Impresses with Athleticism
Jayden Daniels had a mixed start, with his first NFL pass lofting over Austin Ekeler's head. However, he quickly recovered, finding wideout Dyami Brown for a 42-yard gain. Daniels capped the drive by running into the end zone from 3 yards out, putting his athleticism on full display. By the end of his night, Daniels had completed 2 of 3 passes for 45 yards and added a touchdown run, hinting at his potential to be a dual-threat quarterback.
Drake Maye's Brief but Effective Outing
Drake Maye had a brief yet promising debut. He completed two of his three attempts for 19 yards, including a crucial third-and-12 conversion to Antonio Gipson. Though his time on the field was limited, Maye showed he could handle high-pressure situations, offering a glimpse of his capability to extend drives.
Michael Penix Jr. Steers Falcons to Scoring Drives
Michael Penix Jr. had an extended outing, playing five possessions in the first half against Miami. He led the Falcons to two scoring drives, completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards. Penix's highlight came with a 41-yard pass to Chris Blair, showcasing his ability to make big plays when needed.
Mixed Results for J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy’s preseason debut was a roller-coaster. His first pass attempt was an 18-yard completion to Jalen Nailor, but his second throw resulted in an interception by Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. Undeterred, McCarthy recovered to throw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jackson early in the second half. He concluded his day with 188 yards on 11 of 17 passing. “Clearly, everybody can see the arm talent. I loved seeing him come right back after the interception and still be aggressive,” noted Kevin O'Connell, highlighting McCarthy's resilience.
Bo Nix's Commanding Performance for Broncos
Bo Nix commanded the field for the Denver Broncos, leading them to score on four out of five drives. Nix finished an impressive 15 of 21 for 125 yards, including an 11-yard scramble. He also threw his first touchdown pass to Marvin Mims. Reflecting on his performance, Nix noted, “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.”
Insight from Coaches and Players
The performances elicited praise and constructive feedback from both coaches and teammates. For instance, Sam Cosmi was particularly impressed with one of the rookie quarterbacks. “He made a check mid-play. It turned out to be a big gain. ... 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 said enthusiastically.
Raheem Morris also weighed in on another rookie's performance. “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.”
In summary, these first-round rookie quarterbacks have already started to make their mark. From stunning long passes to crucial third-down conversions and touchdown drives, the future looks bright for these emerging talents. As the preseason progresses, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see how these young guns develop and what they will bring to their respective teams in the upcoming regular season.