The future of the NFL was on full display this past week as five first-round rookie quarterbacks made their preseason debuts, dazzling fans and coaches alike with their performances.
Caleb Williams Shines for the Bears
Caleb Williams, stepping onto the field for the Chicago Bears, showcased glimpses of the potential that convinced the Bears to invest a first-round pick in him. Williams' command of the field was evident as he converted a critical third-and-long situation by connecting with wide receiver D.J. Moore for a 12-yard gain. Moments later, he amazed spectators with a splendid 42-yard pass to running back D'Andre Swift. Although the Bears' drive eventually ended with a red zone stop, Cairo Santos salvaged the effort with a 30-yard field goal. In his brief appearance, Williams went 4 of 7 for 95 yards, adding a 13-yard scramble to his stats.
Jayden Daniels Makes an Impressive Debut
Jayden Daniels also left a strong impression in his debut, though his first NFL pass lofted over Austin Ekeler's head. Not letting that initial misstep rattle him, Daniels found wideout Dyami Brown for a 42-yard gain that set the stage for his 3-yard touchdown run. Daniels wrapped up his night having completed 2 of 3 passes for 45 yards and one touchdown run, showing poise under pressure.
Drake Maye Steady in First Appearance
Drake Maye displayed steady composure as he completed two of his three attempts for 19 yards. His first NFL attempt, a third-and-12 conversion to Antonio Gipson, illustrated his ability to handle critical moments, despite limited game action.
Michael Penix Jr. Leads with Confidence
Michael Penix Jr. took charge in a longer stretch of gameplay, playing five possessions in the first half against Miami. Leading the Atlanta Falcons to two scoring drives, Penix completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards and highlighted his effort with a 41-yard pass to Chris Blair. The rookie's ability to effectively manage multiple drives did not go unnoticed.
J.J. McCarthy Overcomes Early Interception
J.J. McCarthy experienced a mixed outing in his debut. His first pass, an 18-yard completion to Jalen Nailor, offered a promising start. However, his second attempt resulted in an interception by Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. Despite this early setback, McCarthy bounced back with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jackson early in the second half. He concluded his day with 188 yards on 11 of 17 passing, demonstrating resilience and an aggressive approach to the game. Reflecting on his performance, Kevin O'Connell noted, “Clearly, everybody can see the arm talent. I loved seeing him come right back after the interception and still be aggressive.”
Bo Nix Excels for the Broncos
Bo Nix delivered a standout performance for the Denver Broncos, leading the team to score on four out of five drives. Nix finished with 15 of 21 passing for 125 yards and included an 11-yard gain on the ground. His first touchdown pass found Marvin Mims, capping off a well-rounded display. Nix reflected on the game positively, saying, “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 exuberance wasn't limited to Nix himself. Teammate Sam Cosmi praised Nix’s composure under pressure, recounting an impressive play: “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.”
Other coaching staff members, like Raheem Morris, were equally enthusiastic about their rookies' performances. On McCarthy, he commented, “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, if these preseason performances are any indication, the NFL's future is indeed bright. These first-round rookie quarterbacks not only showcased their raw talent but also demonstrated an ability to bounce back from challenges, something that will be invaluable as they transition from preseason glories to regular-season battles.