The NFL preseason kicked off with several rookie quarterbacks making impressive debuts for their respective teams. Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ No. 1 overall draft pick, showcased his skills in a 33-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Williams completed 4 of 7 passes for 95 yards and added 13 rushing yards, displaying both arm strength and mobility. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus praised Williams’ poise and decision-making, saying, ‘Poise in the pocket, riding the pocket there. Keep two hands on it when he was in the pocket and then throw a strike’.Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick, also had a strong showing for the Washington Commanders. In his only drive, Daniels completed 2 of 3 passes for 45 yards, including a 42-yard completion to Dyami Brown, and capped it off with a touchdown run. Commanders coach Dan Quinn was impressed with Daniels’ command of the game, stating, ‘I think he wanted to ask for forgiveness and not permission’ when he checked out of a shorter play to throw deep.JJ McCarthy, making his debut for the Minnesota Vikings, completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception against the Las Vegas Raiders. His performance suggested he could be in contention for the starting quarterback position in the near future.Other notable performances included Jordan Love’s 65-yard touchdown pass for the Green Bay Packers in their game against the Cleveland Browns, and former college players transitioning to new positions, such as Velus Jones Jr. of the Chicago Bears, who scored a touchdown as a running back after primarily playing as a wide receiver in college.
Key points
- Rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and JJ McCarthy had impressive preseason debuts for their respective NFL teams.
- Caleb Williams showed poise and skill in leading the Chicago Bears to a 33-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
- Jayden Daniels efficiently led a touchdown drive in his only series for the Washington Commanders.
- Several college players, like Velus Jones Jr.
, are transitioning to new positions in the NFL.
